Jack Kennedy will miss this year's Cheltenham Festival after failing to recover in time from a broken leg injury.
The number one rider for Gordon Elliott, Kennedy was in action for his boss aboard Top Bandit when the pair came to grief in a novice chase at Naas in January.
The Dingle jockey was removed from the track and transferred to Tallaght Hospital, where it was confirmed he had broken his right leg.
READ MORE: Champion trainer Paul Nicholls demands BHA show "bit of backbone" and stand up for racing
Remarkably, this is the fifth time in his young career that the 23-year-old has suffered a broken leg injury.
Elliott revealed earlier this week his stable jockey was “making good progress” but was still “50-50” to ride at Cheltenham, with a crucial visit to his surgeon Paddy Kenny booked for Friday.
Unfortunately, Kennedy did not receive good news.
The jockey’s agent, Kevin O’Ryan, said: “It (Cheltenham) is just coming too soon. He tried his best, but it’s just coming too soon.
“He is keen to get back as soon as possible, but he is going to give it all the time it needs.
“Hopefully it will be a couple of weeks after Cheltenham.”
Following Kennedy’s injury, three-time champion Davy Russell came out of retirement to fill the void.
The veteran jockey enjoyed Grade One success at last month’s Dublin Racing Festival aboard the Elliott-trained Mighty Potter, who is hot favourite for the Turners’ Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham, but Russell subsequently suffered a heavy fall of his own later that day and has had only two rides since.
However, he has been booked to partner both Fils D’oudairies and Present Soldier for Elliott at Leopardstown on Sunday and is widely expected to be on board the majority of the stable’s leading hopes at the Festival, with Jordan Gainford and Sam Ewing also set to be part of the team.
As well as Mighty Potter, Elliott’s Festival squad includes Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Conflated, Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase market leader Gerri Colombe and Stayers’ Hurdle candidate Teahupoo.
READ NEXT:
- Katie Taylor sends Eddie Hearn public ultimatum over Dublin fight
- Jack Kennedy to miss Cheltenham festival after failing to recover from broken leg in time
Conor McGregor slams 'dishonourable' fighters in late night social media rant
Stephen Kenny pinpoints when Kylian Mbappé is at his most dangerous ahead of France clash
Chris Farrell set for move to France after Munster release the Irish star
For all the latest Horseracing news please click here to sign up to our newsletter
