Rite Of Passage is on course to make his seasonal debut in the Seamus & Rosemary McGrath Memorial Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown on Friday.

The 2010 Ascot Gold Cup winner has not been seen since last October when he overcame a lengthy absence to claim Ascot's British Champions Long Distance Cup.

Rite Of Passage finished third behind Fame And Glory in the 2011 renewal of the Saval Beg.

"We will see what the week brings, but the present plan is to run," trainer Dermot Weld said.

"We are very pleased with him - that's why he's favourite for the Gold Cup.

"That (the Gold Cup) would then be the plan if he runs in the Saval Beg."

Weld said he would also run Rite Of Passage in the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day if things went smoothly this summer.

Aidan O'Brien has four entries, headed by Imperial Monarch, in the Saval Beg, while John Oxx is aiming to use the race as a stepping-stone to Ascot for Saddler's Rock.