For many, the exciting Dunguib is regarded as a certainty for Cheltenham’s Supreme Novices Hurdle next March.

But a fly in the ointment could come from Rite of Passage, currently on offer at |16-1 and who finished third to Dunguib in last year’s Cheltenham Bumper.

Trained by Dermot Weld, Rite of Passage makes his hurdling debut at Leopardsown on Saturday in the opening maiden race over two and a quarter miles .

Two impressive bumper wins saw the chestnut become a huge gamble at the Cheltenham Festival, where he was sent off the 5-2 favourite.

Although beaten some way behind Dunguib and again defeated at the Curragh in May, Rite Of Passage switched to the flat to win a maiden and then the Leopardstown November Handicap, beating subsequent Tara Hurdle winner Donnas Palm.

Weld said: “We have got to start him off and see if he will make a hurdler. If he doesn't, he can go back to the flat.”

Expect a winning debut and include him in a double with Alaivan who goes in the Juvenile Hurdle on the same programme.

Alaivan is an exciting prospect for Eddie O’Grady and can take this race and enhance his standing as favourite for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.