Weld mulls Passage plans Dermot Weld has a plethora of options, including a possible return over hurdles, to consider for Rite Of Passage following his Gold Cup triumph at Royal Ascot on Thursday. The six-year-old, having his first start since finishing third in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, grabbed Group One glory after a pulsating battle with Age Of Aquarius. Weld is now eyeing more major prizes on the Flat, and perhaps in time back over obstacles with his exciting chestnut. Weld told At The Races: "It was run in a record time and the third horse (Purple Moon) was a long way ahead of the rest, so it was a very good Gold Cup. "Rite Of Passage will go on a summer break now and the most likely race he could come back in could be the Irish St Leger. "Then we'll take it one day at a time and see how he's training before we make any long-term plans for him, but he'll be entered for the Melbourne Cup and we'll see what weight he gets. "In time the Champion Hurdle could well be a race for him. He's a very athletic horse and he's a super leaper over hurdles."
