Weld waits on Saval plans

Dermot Weld is likely to wait until just before final declaration time tomorrow morning before deciding what to run in the Seamus & Rosemary McGrath Memorial Saval Beg Stakes.

The Curragh trainer has both Rite Of Passage and Profound Beauty in the Listed contest over a mile and three-quarters at Leopardstown on Sunday. Both have yet to run on the Flat this term.

Rite Of Passage was last seen finishing third behind Peddlers Cross and Reve De Sivola in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Profound Beauty ended the last Flat campaign with a creditable fourth place in the Irish St Leger and her long-term target is the Melbourne Cup in which she was fifth in 2008.

The possibility of fast ground is a concern for Rite Of Passage, who holds an entry in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

“Rite Of Passage is a possibility for the Saval. I have him and Profound Beauty in the race but I won’t decide until Friday which I run because he is a possible for the Gold Cup as well,” said Weld.

“I just want to see what the ground is going to be like at Leopardstown.

“The Saval Beg has been a lucky race for us but it’s a very good renewal this year.

“A lot will depend on the ground but it is possible both could run on Sunday.

“We’ve had dry weather and the ground is firm. There is a chance of some rain for Saturday but I’m not sure at the moment,” he told At The Races.