Although the Listed Saval Beg Stakes wasn’t the feature race of the day, it was definitely the most anticipated, with the strong favourite Fame And Glory winning but not as well as he was expected to at Leopardstown.
Ridden by Jamie Spencer, the Aidan O’Brien trained colt got to the front at about the furlong mark but he soon had to fend off a determined bid from the mare, Vivacious Vivienne a 50/1 shot. The Montjeu colt managed this, prevailing by half a length with three parts of a length back to Rite Of Passage That one put up an excellent effort as all roads lead to Royal Ascot for the Gold Cup again.
Winning trainer Aidan O'Brien said afterwards: "He had to fight for it. They went a solid gallop and he is a courageous horse.
"The plan was if everything went well here, the Ascot Gold Cup would be next. He has a good chance of getting the two and a half miles, he didn’t look like he was stopping at the line here, he looked like he still had more left.
"That was the longest trip he ever went today."
Dermot Weld said of his 2010 Ascot Gold Cup winner Rite Of Passage, “I’m very happy with that run, he ran a very creditable race.”
Ladbrokes go 5/2 Fame And Glory for the Ascot Gold Cup whilst Rite Of Passage is also unchanged in their list at 4/1.
