Fame And Glory continued his march towards the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot with a workmanlike display at Leopardstown.
The son of Montjeu already has four Group One victories to his name, with the 2009 Irish Derby and last season’s Coronation Cup his most notable triumphs to date.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien showed with his remarkable four-time Gold Cup hero Yeats that he is capable of turning top drawer middle-distance horses into smart stayers and Fame And Glory is the clear favourite to follow in his illustrious former stable companion’s hoof prints on June 16.
Sent off the 3-10 favourite for this first try at a mile and six furlongs, the entire travelled noticeably well throughout and jockey Jamie Spencer cut a confident figure in the saddle turning for home.
It looked as though he could pick up pacesetter Nebula Storm and returning Gold Cup hero Rite Of Passage whenever he wished, but while he wore down that pair, Vivacious Vivienne finished with a rare rattle down the outside.
Spencer had to get serious with his mount in the final strides and they managed to hold on by half-a-length.
Dermot Weld’s Rite Of Passage was making his first start since his Ascot triumph last June and ran a fine trial for this year’s renewal, passing the post a creditable third.
O’Brien said: “He had to fight for it. They went a solid gallop and he is a courageous horse. I’m very happy with him.
“He came forward from his run at Navan and this was a much stronger-run race and a stronger race. Jamie just asked him to get a little bit closer four out and he really came alive with him.
“Looking at him today you’d have to say he has a big chance of getting two miles. After that, you don’t really know in the Gold Cup.
“He settled very well and we look forward to Ascot with him now.
“This horse is a dual Group One winner over a mile a quarter, so he has a different profile to a horse like Yeats.
“I suppose we haven’t trained such a classy horse for the Gold Cup before. You must remember that he ran a stormer in Arc last year where he was turned over at the furlong marker and finished fifth.”
Weld declared himself pleased with Rite Of Passage’s display, saying: “I’m very happy with that run, he ran a very creditable race.”
PA AAP TURF
