Now that Ruby Walsh has committed himself to Quel Esprit in this race he has been trimmed and will be popular on the day as well attempting to give Willie Mullins a third win on the spin in the race but I still see the money coming for Rite Of Passage.

With officials watering yesterday, obviously things are quickening up and if the ground is no worse than good-to-soft, seeing the way he came clear in the Irish November Handicap (where he ran to a classy 103), I can only think he will have too much pace for Quel Esprit who many feel should be in the Albert Bartlett having looked one-paced over 2m5f last time when beaten by Coole River.

The winner franked that form and my gut feeling is that Quel Esprit also wasn't right that day and we will see a much better horse but my opinion of Rite Of Passage is sky high and I will not be opposing him.

I have stamina doubts about Peddlers Cross even though he is a winning pointer as he looked plenty speedy at Haydock, Reve De Sivola doesn't jump well enough and has been beaten too many times and I can see Quantitativeeasing ending up in a handicap.

There has been money for Summit Meeting off the back of Pricewise's recommendation plus positive words from Jessica Harrington and it is interesting she runs him rather than Coole River and I can see him go well as I can Finian's Rainbow on better ground than when beaten in the Challow Hurdle and who Barry Geraghty has been gushing over on the Preview Evening circuit but I can not take on Rite Of Passage.