blog counter Gordon Elliott receives bumper boost in run up to Cheltenham Festival as trainer talks up ‘big addition’ – Cure fym

Gordon Elliott receives bumper boost in run up to Cheltenham Festival as trainer talks up ‘big addition’


GORDON Elliott has received a timely boost less than two weeks out from Cheltenham with Jack Kennedy cleared to return to riding.

The 25-year-old has been out of action since suffering a barely believable SIXTH leg break in November at Fairyhouse.

29 December 2024; Trainer Gordon Elliott after sending Brighterdaysahead out to win the the Neville Hotels Hurdle on day four of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival at Leopardstown Racecourse in Dublin. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
The 46-year-old sounded chuffed to hear that his leading jockey has gotten the green light to get back in the saddle
23 November 2024; Jockey Jack Kennedy with the plate after riding Brighterdaysahead to win the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle on day one of the Punchestown Winter Festival at Punchestown Racecourse in Kildare. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
All racing fans will be delighted at the luckless rider returning in time for the year’s biggest meet

Naturally, Elliott was delighted to hear that his number one rider has been medically cleared to make his return at Leopardstown on Monday.

The Cullentra handler posted on X: “Today we learned that 2023/24 Champion National Hunt jockey Jack Kennedy has been given the green light to get back to race riding for Monday in Leopardstown.

“He was passed fit by his surgeon Paddy Kenny this morning and will be a great addition to our Cheltenham team as always.”

November’s crushing smash over the final hurdle sadly resulted in the death of his horse Twoohthree.

An intensive rehab programme has seen Kennedy regain full fitness in time for a massive book of rides.

The Kerry native will get the leg up on the unstoppable Brighterdaysahead – who will run in either the Champion Hurdle or Mares’ Hurdle.

And he will aim to steer Teahupoo to a second straight Stayers’ Hurdle title.

Elliott also has huge chances in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle with The Yellow Clay, Champion Bumper with Kalypso’chance and Wodhooh in the Martin Pipe.

Kennedy has experience beyond his years at Cheltenham, his most notorious win being the 2017 Supreme on Labaik at 25-1.

In 2021 he won the Gold Cup on Minella Indo for trainer Henry de Bromhead.


In total, he won’s 11 times around Prestbury Park.

The other notable news around this year’s Festival to emerge this week from an Irish point of view is that its opening race has been renamed in memory of Michael O’Sullivan.

The move has been widely hailed by figures across the sport, including Irish legend Barry Geraghty.

The two-time Irish Champion Jockey praised: “A beautiful tribute to an amazing young man who was taken far too soon and is dearly missed by all in our sport.”

FAMILY’S GRATITUDE

The O’Sullivan family have spoken of their gratitude at Michael being honoured in such a way at the four-day meet.

In a statement they said: “We are deeply proud of Michael’s incredible talent and the legacy he left in the world of racing.

“Renaming the race that marked the pinnacle of his career is a fitting tribute to his skill, dedication, and passion for the sport.

“As a family, we have always admired Michael’s achievements both on and off the track, and it means so much to us to see his talent recognised in this way.

“The outpouring of tributes over the past week has been a testament to the impact he had on so many lives.

“We would like to sincerely thank The Jockey Club and Sky Bet for giving us this opportunity to honour Michael’s memory and celebrate his remarkable career.”

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