Epsom Conquest on but Guineas hero Henrythenavigator set to miss Derby

One in, one out. Dermot Weld has confirmed 7-2 favourite Casual Conquest will run in the Vodafone Derby tomorrow week but the much-craved appearance of Aidan O'Brien's dual 2,000 Guineas winner Henrythenavigator looks unlikely.

O'Brien cited the current soft ground at Epsom as the stumbling block for his brilliantly fast colt. Totesport immediately eased him to 11-2 from 4s but only the deluded would back him if they had heard O'Brien's tone.

Track officials will try to ease his concerns, with director of racing Andrew Cooper pointing to the going being almost heavy on the equivalent day in 2006 but good to firm on the day Sir Percy won his Derby.

O'Brien, however, doesn't look like turning.

The news will mean that the perfect scenario of Sue Magnier being the winning owner when her father, the legendary trainer Vincent O'Brien, is guest of honour, is less likely, although she does have a stake in the other O'Brien contenders pencilled in to start - Alessandro Volta, Bashkirov, Frozen Fire, King Of Rome and Washington Irving.

O'Brien said: "Everyone knows that Henry wants summer ground and it doesn't look like it's going to be like that."

Thank goodness for Weld, who has advised owner Walter Haefner to pay the £75,000 late entry fee.

Weld, who will run Famous Name in Sunday's French Derby, said: "I thought Casual Conquest was a potential Derby horse but more an Irish Derby horse.

"A lot has happened in the short space of his life. Are we putting too much on him too soon? That's been the concern."

As revealed by Racemail on Tuesday, Godolphin's Ibn Khaldun also heads to the French Derby, leaving Frankie Dettori to partner Rio De La Plata.