Smullen wraps up jockeys title

Pat Smullen wrapped things up in the jockeys title for 2010 when securing a double at Dundalk this afternoon.

The win on Elusive Ridge in the concluding conditions race moved him eight winners ahead of nearest rival Fran Berry.

There are only seven races scheduled for the all-weather track on Friday and even with a divide Berry would need to perform miracles to level it up.

Harry Rogers' charge benefitted from a finely judged front-running ride to land the spoils in the 1m2f contest.

Smullen varied the pace in front and had plenty up his sleeve in the closing stages to score by three-and-a-half lengths from Bravely Fought

The well-supported Pires (9/10f) was the first beaten and eventually finished last of the four runners.

It was a quick brace for Smullen, who had taken the previous contest on Hawa Balli.

Smullen was lifting the jockeys' title for the sixth time, having most recently took the honours in 2008.

"I'm delighted. I'm always very cautious. Everyone was saying well done to me last week but it's never over to it's over. It would be hard for Fran to ride eight to be fair!

"It's great that I rode the winner for Harry as he's been a great supporter over the years and especially the last few months. It's been a great year."

Rogers was full of praise for the winning rider: "He gave it a great ride and that's why he's champion.

"I'll put this fellow away for the year now," he added about the winner.