Gold Cup Favourite Rite of Passage
Gold Cup favourite Rite of Passage is going to be one of the most high profile horses appearing at Royal Ascot this year. It is one thing to win such a prestigious race as the Gold Cup but it's something else entirely to come back a year later and defend the title that so many are looking to take away.
Rite of Passage is an extremely experienced horse. This is a seven-year-old Chestnut Gelding that has made the switch from jump racing to flat races with a huge amount of success and very little difficulty.
DK Weld has taken good care of his prize asset in the hope that it can blow competitors out of the water at Royal Ascot this year. The odds for Gold Cup favourite Rite of Passage are going to be short in any race and it is easy to understand why.
Rite of Passage Flat Races
There have only ever been three Rite of Passage flat races but all three of these rides have produced three wins. The first two races for Rite of Passage after making the switch from jump racing came at the start of 2010.
These two Rite of Passage flat races allowed the horse to get familiar with running and not having to launch over massive jumps while going round. This gave the horse and jockey form and also allowed Weld to see where the Gelding needed to improve ahead of a big race.
The performance in the Ascot Gold Cup in 2010 was absolutely superb and it's important to note that this was the last race that Rite of Passage was entered in to. Rite of Passage tracked the leaders and won by a neck as a 20/1 shot beating an 8/1 contender into second place.
Condition of Rite of Passage
Weld has said that the condition of Rite of Passage is not an issue in the build up to the Gold Cup this year. Rite of Passage has been training hard behind the scenes and the fact the horse has not run for a year shouldn't be an indication to worry or stress over the condition of the horse.
It is very important for any trainer to nurture an older horse and save all of that energy and enthusiasm for the biggest races around the calendar. The condition of Rite of Passage will be perfect because Weld will want the best possible chance of repeated success.
Royal Ascot Gold Cup Betting
Royal Ascot Gold Cup betting can often cause the bookmakers to tense up a little bit and tightens the odds on the main favourites. Rite of Passage will not be the best priced horse in the race but the size of the field and the number of contenders should mean that a little value remains.
There is little value in backing Rite of Passage as an each way option in the Ascot Gold Cup 2011. This will only shorten odds that are going to be short in the first place. A win is the only option with this horse.