Injury woe for jockey

Injury woe for jockey

28 September 2016

JOCKEY Jack Kennedy faces up to six weeks on the sidelines after fracturing his right fibula in a fall at Downpatrick on Friday.

The teenage sensation was on board Shane Billy when taking a fall at the second fence in the handicap chase and was transported to the Royal Victoria Hospital where the full extent of his injuries were revealed.

Kennedy currently sits at the top of the national hunt riders’ table with 41 winners, 13 ahead of his nearest pursuer Davy Russell.

Dermot Weld’s easy to back runner Sir Raston took the honours in the opening race on the card where Grand National winning jockey Niall Madden timed his challenge to perfection after the final flight, forcing his mount to lead up the home straight to defeat Kevin Sexton and Field Robin by two lengths.

“He travelled and jumped well. I held him back a bit as I didn’t want to be in front too soon,” said Madden in the winner’s enclosure.

Jonathan Fogarty’s Tornado Watch made it three wins from as many runs for the trainer when scoring a second success at Downpatrick in the handicap hurdle.

The seven-year-old Selkirk gelding carried top weight of 12st 2lb and strained every sinew to record a neck verdict from Danny Mullins and Se Mo Laoch.

“He didn’t travel as well today and his jumping wasn’t as good as previously. He’s not that big, but we’re delighted he’s now won three for us,” said winning jockey Mikey Fogarty, brother of the successful trainer.

Cork trainer Philip O’Connor made his first visit to Downpatrick a successful one when placing Double Take to win the maiden hurdle under 7lb claimer Cian Collins.

The 12/1 chance came from off the pace to get the better of Henry de Bromhead’s Forever Dylan by a length at the post.

“It took us seven hours to get here. We left at five this morning and stopped off at the Curragh to stretch his legs a bit,” said O’Connor in the winner’s enclosure.

De Bromhead went one place better in the beginners’ chase when David Mullins and 10/1 chance Show And Go gave the Waterford trainer the first leg of a double when overhauling three rivals after the final fence to win by two and a half lengths from Mikey Fogarty on He’s Our Robin.

The trainer’s first visit to Downpatrick got even better in the next race when odds-on chance Marinero (4/6) ran out an easy winner of the second of the beginners’ chases for jockey Bryan Cooper.

The Gigginstown House Stud runner was foot perfect throughout the two miles and seven furlongs and will be aimed at a novice chase next with a possible trip to Punchestown in November on the cards.

Mister To Mister, a three times winner in point-to-points, caused a shock when winning the handicap chase at 33/1 for Ballyclare based trainer Ben Arthey who was saddling his first Irish winner, having had six previous successes across the water.

Martin Ferris was originally declared to ride, but had to cry off after picking up an injury. Brian Hayes had ridden the horse before and proved more than a capable deputy with the pair having just over four lengths in hand of runner-up Rachael Blackmore and Paudi The Punter.

Another Nina Carberry bumper winner for trainer Noel Meade came courtesy of 6/4 favourite Kagney who made all and had few worries on the way to an easy win from Patrick Mullins on Up The Navan Road.

Next Downpatrick meeting: Friday, October 14.