Cheltenham-bound Passage made of the rite stuff

RITE Of Passage hardened as favourite for the Neptune Investments Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham after recording what his trainer Dermot Weld described as a “satisfactory” win in the Book Your Festival Tickets Hurdle at Punchestown yesterday.

The 2/7 favourite was given a confidence-boosting ride by Robbie McNamara, tracking the leader Hilgib until turning for home and staying on to beat Healys Bar (officially rated 144) by a length, without being asked a serious question.

Rite Of Passage, a six-year-old son of Giant’s Causeway, jumped adequately - being allowed get in close to a couple of flights by McNamara, before asserting with the minimum of fuss.