DERMOT WELD’S decision to avoid international Group One options for his star older horses Casual Conquest and Famous Name can contribute to champion jockey Pat Smullen enjoying a bumper pay-off at the Curragh tomorrow.

Casual Conquest returns to the course and distance of his greatest triumph in the Royal Whip Stakes. The colt faces five opponents in the Group Two, which is run over the same terrain on which he beat Famous Name in May’s Tattersalls Gold Cup. The latter, in turn, only has to walk the 500 yards from Weld’s yard to the Group Three Desmond Stakes over a mile.

Both horses look set for success, although Casual Conquest will have something to prove, having been turned over in the Meld Stakes on his last start.

She’s Our Mark and Lord Admiral comprehensively beat last year’s Epsom Derby third at Leopardstown, and the latter is part of the Weld star’s opposition again.

But Casual Conquest should strip fitter for that run, and is 4lb better off with his veteran rival. In fact, his main danger could be English raider Curtain Call.

Famous Name will have just four others against him in the Desmond, and last year’s French Derby runner-up comes here on the back of a pair of impressive course victories. Three Rocks landed the Minstrel Stakes on his last start and looks the one Pat Smullen will have to focus on.

The Patrick O’Leary Memorial Phoenix Sprint, also looks a good opportunity for Smullen when he teams up with his old ally Benbaun, who is chasing a remarkable eighth career victory at Irish racing’s headquarters.

That could be useful in the context of this task where Aidan O’Brien runs the smart filly Heart Shaped and Jim Bolger runs smart three-year-old Vocalised.

Gypsie Queen is a winner against maidens in tomorrow’s opener, but she will do well to concede weight to Jade Jewel.

At Tramore tomorrow the forecast fast ground should suit Presenting Thyne in the amateur maiden hurdle.