Weld’s Ascot champ back on Gold Cup trail

REIGNING Ascot Gold Cup champ Rite Of Passage puts his unbeaten flat record on the line in tomorrow’s Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown.

Twice placed at Cheltenham when racing under the national hunt code, the Dermot Weld-trained gelding has not been seen since winning the Group `1 contest at Ascot last June but jockey Pat Smullen is looking forward to partnering the seven-year-old, who is being prepared for a Gold Cup defence.

“I sat on him the other day and he’s very well and in good form,” said Smullen.