Rely on in-form Ridge

THE conditions of the contest aren’t exactly in his favour, but in-form Elusive Ridge still gets the nap to take the Crowne Plaza Hotel Race at Dundalk tonight.

He is on a hat-trick mission now, emphasising his current well-being on the track a week ago.

Always on the pace for Pat Smullen, Elusive Ridge kept on strongly through the final furlong to hold Toufan Express by three parts of a length.

The opening Johnny Murtagh-Ireland and Dundalk’s Champion Jockey 2011 Maiden is best left to the 80-rated Harry Trotter.

He was beaten into second by a useful sort in Slade Power here last time and faces nothing of that calibre.

James Ryan’s Gaiety Theatre gets the nod in the Happy Christmas To All Our Patrons Maiden.

The daughter of North Light gave promise of better to come when third to Maggie Neary and Azores at Dundalk last month.

Charlie Swan’s Tribes And Banner may be worth risking in the competitive Free Admission On Friday 6th January Handicap. He was very slowly away here two weeks ago, before powering through late to claim fourth spot behind Knockagraffon Lad.