RITE OF PASSAGE SHINES AGAIN

February 17 2010

Rite Of Passage - impressed at Punchestown.

Rite Of Passage strengthened his claims for the Cheltenham Festival with an easy victory at Punchestown.

The Dermot Weld-trained gelding made it two out of two over jumps with an effortless display in the Book Your Festival Tickets Hurdle.

Stepped up to two and a half miles following his win at Leopardstown last month, the 2-7 shot won by one length from Healy's Bar for amateur rider Robbie McNamara.

"He found the track a little bit tight," said Weld.

"It's only his second run over hurdles and the reason for bringing him here was to experience the undulations. It took him time to get use to them, which he did.

"That would indicate to me that we'll let him take his chance in the Neptune, the two-mile-five novice hurdle at Cheltenham. That's likely to be his next race.

"He wasn't spectacular, or overly impressive, but he did it nicely.

"He's a big horse and the inside track was a bit tight. I think a more galloping track would suit."

Sky Bet cut the winner to 3/1 from 7/2 for the Neptune Investments Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham and spokesman Michael Shinners said: "The race itself turned into a sprint but he beat the right horse in Healys Bar and with his jumping looking assured and the trip not looking a problem, he looks a horse to keep on the right side of."