Ridge heading for Leopardstown Alpha Ridge could head to Leopardstown at Christmas following his fine effort in defeat at Fairyhouse on Wednesday. After being beaten just a neck on his chasing debut at Galway in October, the seven-year-old found only Pandorama too strong in the Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase. Trainer Paul Nolan was delighted with the performance of his charge, but admits he could struggle to turn the tables on the winner over any trip. "He ran a blinder and was just beaten by a better horse on the day," said Nolan. "We know our horse wants three miles, but there is no reason to say Pandorama won't improve when stepping up in trip as well, as he showed no signs of stopping over two and a half the other day. In my book, he's put down a fair bar regarding the novice chasers in Ireland. "We might go to Leopardstown at Christmas for the Grade One three-mile novice (Knight Frank Novice Chase) and we might meet Pandorama again. "It's frustrating when you have to keep running into these better horses, but that's the competitiveness of the racing. "We're happy with our horse and we're lucky enough to have a horse capable of being competitive at that level."
