Gordon Elliot says Jack Kennedy's race to be fit for the upcoming Cheltenham Festival will go 'down to the wire'.
Kennedy broke his leg in January and has been on the sidelines ever since. He has though stated his intention to compete at the big meeting.
The injury led to the recently retired Davy Russell reversing his decision to step back and return to riding as first choice for Elliott. He competed at the Dublin Racing Festival last weekend and partnered Mighty Potter to Grade One glory.
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"We’re keeping everything crossed Jack will be back. He’s going to the hospital on Thursday and he’s going to Dubai then for a week for a bit of sun,” said Elliott.
“It’ll be tight and he knows that – it’ll be down to the wire. But if he’s back he’ll be riding everything. He’s number one now and all these horses are waiting for him to come back.
“I’d say for Jack’s own peace of mind he’d like to ride a day (before Cheltenham). If he’s not coming back on the Sunday before he’s not going to ride on the Tuesday, that’s the way I’m looking at it.
“Jack has been unlucky with injuries, but saying that he’s only 22 years of age and he’s ridden 36 or 37 Grade One winners."
Russell himself also suffered a fall at Leopardstown at the weekend. Elliot said of it: "Davy got a couple of bruised ribs the other day and he’s a bit sore, but Davy is made of steel.
“If it was six months’ time or three months’ time, the conversation with Davy (coming out of retirement) would never have happened. Jordan (Gainford) and Sam (Ewing) would have stepped straight in, but they’re two young lads who are very talented riders and world-class jockeys and I just felt they could do with a bit more time."
Elliot believes there's a possibility Russell may have to stand in for Kennedy at Cheltenham but admits he hasn't yet spoken to him about it.
He said: "If anything happens to Jack, Davy will be there to pick up the pieces, but he knows he’s keeping the seat warm for him.
“I haven’t even had the conversation with Davy about it (riding at Cheltenham). At the moment we don’t know if Jack is going to be back so we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
“Myself and Davy talk most days and I’ve been friends with him since I was 16 or 17. Credit to the man for him to step back in and I’m sure he’ll be in Cheltenham."
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