FROZEN FIRE will take on the cream of Britain's Derby candidates in tomorrow's Dante Stakes at York, a race that could take Dermot Weld a step closer to deciding if his unbeaten star Casual Conquest might take his chance at Epsom after all.
After Casual Conquest thrust himself towards the top of the three-year-old middle-distance crop in the Derrinstown Trial at Leopardstown last weekend, Weld appeared to rule out a trip to Epsom in favour of a tilt at the French Derby.
The Curragh trainer would need to supplement Casual Conquest into the race at a cost of €94,000 and Weld has been critical of the entry system at Epsom.
However he hasn't completely ruled out an attempt on British racing's blue-riband event and said: "A decision will be made later this week. We will sit down and all possibilities will be reviewed."
Casual Conquest is 6 to 1 "with a run" for Epsom but there may be significant changes in the classic betting after the Dante for which the current Epsom favourite Twice Over is one of six runners.
Frozen Fire will represent Aidan O'Brien but it is a hot race with the highly-touted Michael Stoute runner Tartan Bearer also lining up alongside the Sandown Trial winner Centennial. Godolphin will be represented by both McCartney and Young Pretender with Frankie Dettori on the latter.
