Pat Smullen is looking forward to partnering Gold Cup hero Rite Of Passage in the Saval Beg Stakes on Sunday.
Dermot Weld’s seven-year-old has mixed it at the highest level on the level and over jumps, finishing third in both the Champion Bumper and in a Grade One novice hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
He has not been sighted since causing a surprise at Royal Ascot in June, and faces a tough assignment on his comeback against multiple Group One winner Fame And Glory.
Smullen admits Fame And Glory is likely to be tough to beat, having already made a successful comeback this year, but the leading jockey already has one eye on a potential rematch in the Gold Cup next month.
“I sat on him the other day and he’s very well and in good form,” Smullen said.
“It’s his first start in almost a year so while I’d expect him to run well, he will improve for it.
“Fame And Glory is a very, very good horse and has had a run this year, so he’s probably going to be more ready for this race than our horse.
“This is a stepping stone to the Gold Cup for us, but I couldn’t be more pleased with him and he’s ready to start.
“This is the right race to start our lad off in and this has been the plan all year. There is no point changing our plans just because Fame And Glory is there.
“That is the race on Sunday, but the Ascot Gold Cup will be a whole different kettle of fish a few weeks afterwards.
“The Saval Beg is a great race and the boss has a very good record in it. It’s a race that fits perfectly into a staying horse’s program.
“Leopardstown is such a beautiful track and they always have beautiful ground.
“The boss is pretty adamant he wants to start Rite Of Passage off in this race and he is sticking to his plan regardless of Fame And Glory.”
Weld and Smullen have enjoyed plenty of previous success in the Saval Beg, with great stayers such as Vintage Crop, Vinnie Roe and Media Puzzle on the roll of honour.
“Rite Of Passage is a very good horse. Vinnie Roe would have been a pacier horse than him, as would Media Puzzle, but Rite Of Passage comes into his own when he’s going over a longer distance,” Smullen said.
“We hope that he’ll show that again at Ascot. He’s a real staying horse and there’s no doubt he’s filled into his frame over the winter.
“He looks magnificent and he couldn’t be in better order at the moment.”
Rite Of Passage and Fame And Glory are the star names in a nine-runner field at Leopardstown.
Weld also saddles Universal Truth, while Gordon Elliott is responsible for last year’s Ebor winner Dirar.
Admiral Barry, Fictional Account, Nebula Storm, Top Spin and Vivacious Vivienne complete the line-up.
PA AAP TURF
