Jumps campaign unlikely for Passage Dermot Weld admits it is unlikely that his Royal Ascot hero Rite Of Passage will be campaigned over hurdles this season. The six-year-old has won two of his three outings over timber, his only defeat coming at the hands of Peddlers Cross at the Cheltenham Festival. He is unbeaten on the Flat and was last seen springing a surprise when winning the Group One Gold Cup at Ascot in June. "He's here at Rosewell House and is in great form," said the trainer. "He was a bit stiff and sore after he won the Gold Cup so we gave him time out and he came back nicely. "We were going to go for the Melbourne Cup but then we decided we'd give him a bit more time and we've yet to decide whether we go hurdling with him this winter. "It would appear less likely and obviously we'd like to have a crack at winning another Gold Cup at Royal Ascot." Another Weld inmate that was being considered for a hurdling campaign is 2008 Epsom Derby third Casual Conquest, but he too looks set to wait until the Flat campaign. The five-year-old has been sidelined with injury since last year's Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and while Weld is keen to send him over the sticks at some stage, he feels this might be a season too soon. "I don't think he'll go hurdling this winter I'm afraid," Weld told At The Races. "He got a tendon injury when running a very good race behind Sea The Stars on his last run and I just think he needs more time. "I think we'll aim for the Tattersalls Gold Cup in the spring, the Group One which he won for us, and maybe go jumping next autumn. "He's an outstanding big horse and I think he could make an outstanding hurdle horse, but we are going to err on the side of caution."
