The Epsom Derby could well be without another high-profile middle distance three-year-old following Casual Conquest's emphatic reappearance victory in the Derrinstown Derby Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday.

With New Approach already set to bypass the Derby, indications in the aftermath of last Sunday's impressive Group 2 victory were that Casual Conquest could be set to head for either the Chantilly or Curragh equivalents.

The Hernando colt doesn't hold an entry for Epsom but looked well worth his place in any major Derby following this display which was his first outing since winning a maiden on his debut at this track last September.

Nearing the straight Dermot Weld's charge was last of the five-runner field but he circled his rivals in impressive style rounding the final bend and picked up in some style to surge clear heading towards the final furlong.

This was a display that radiated class and he must command maximum respect when he steps up to Group 1 level for next start.

Dermot Weld has no shortage of talent at his disposal this season and half an hour later he underlined that point by sending out Carribean Sunset to win the Group 3 1000 Guineas Trial.

Last month the Danehill Dancer filly sprung something of a surprise to win the other Guineas trial at Leopardstown but she confirmed herself a talented and progressive sort with a determined success over Katiyra.

Along with Mad About You she will give her trainer a strong hand in the Irish 1000 Guineas and the form of her win at the track last month is starting to look particularly good. The runner-up from that first trial, Halfway to Heaven, was third in the French 1000 Guineas on Sunday and the previous week the third placed Saoirse Abu ran an excellent race to fill the same position behind Natagora at Newmarket.

For her part Katiyra made a highly encouraging comeback to go down by just half a length in second. This represented a fine effort on her first start since making a winning debut last August. She gave every indication that she would improve appreciably for stepping up beyond a mile and a big run can be anticipated from her if she takes her chance in the Juddmonte Oaks at Epsom.

The other Group 3 on the card fell to the Frank Ennis-trained Ferneley who came back to his very best to record an all the way success in the Amethyst Stakes.

The four-year-old has always shown enough to suggest that he was capable of scoring at this level and was clearly all the better for his comeback run on much slower ground at the Curragh the previous Monday. He should be set for an industrious summer at this level.

The remainder of the week was a relatively low key one on the flat front but Clonmel on Thursday did see Pat Flynn notch up a double with two useful sorts.

His Mon Champion followed up two encouraging runs last year to win the ten furlong maiden in battling style. Although he probably wasn't at his best on the very quick ground, the relation to Secreto still turned in quite a useful effort in a race where the front two pulled right away in the final furlong. He could be the type to land a decent handicap at some stage this season with some ease in the ground.

Later Bahrain Storm proved much too strong for his rivals despite having to carry top weight in the two mile handicap. Royal Ascot's Queen Alexandra Stakes is a possible target for him and don't be surprised to see run a big race there. Furthermore he remains one that could also pick up a good handicap hurdle at some stage.

Over jumps Northern Alliance landed the valuable Murphy's Irish Stout Handicap Hurdle for Ruby Walsh and Tony Martin at Killarney and he should be able to play a major role in good handicaps throughout the summer.

The runner-up Norther Bay also ran a fine race and he too should be set for a good summer. He seems to be settling better in front and has now put together two good runs in highly competitive handicaps. He deserves to land a big prize.

Punchestown on Wednesday also witnessed a couple of smart performances. The former French Listed winner Hurricane Fly made short work of his rivals on his jumping debut. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding didn't have a great deal to beat but did it some style and should be more than capable of holding his own in good company.

Elsewhere it could also be worth keeping an eye on the bumper won by the Weld-trained New Phase. He looks quite a decent sort - as does the neck runner-up Door Boy - and this race could throw up more than its fair share of winners.

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