Jack Kennedy is the toast of Cheltenham with four festival wins
IF a week is a long time in politics then it can seem a lifetime in the story of National Hunt racing as Jack Kennedy’s meteoric rise to the top reached new levels at Cheltenham last week. The 18-year-old Dingle man went into the festival with one winner under his belt but finished the week with an incredible four wins, coming second in the festival jockeys’ championship to Davy Russell. The Cork man also had four wins but took the title by having more placed efforts.
Day one was disappointing for Kennedy as the hot favourite and much fancied Apple’s Jade could only manage third in the mares’ hurdle. This was preceded by a fine ride by Kennedy who worked Mengli Khan into contention for a place in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Day two was all about Samcro and while most jockeys would have felt the pressure of riding the ‘Irish banker’ and 4/6 favourite, Kennedy was cooler than Béal Bán Strand on a January morning as he worked the Elliott trained gelding into the race from a wide position. Kennedy said afterwards: “I was there way too soon, but he stayed on great.” Gordon Elliott added: “There was a lot of pressure for Jack and for me, and for everyone in the team. I’m delighted, it’s brilliant.”
Later on that afternoon Kennedy won a competitive Fred Winter on 20/1 shot Veneer of Charm. This race showed all of Kennedy’s class as the horse wandered badly after clearing the final hurdle but Kennedy steadied him to lead home strongly.
The opening race on day three was the JLT Novices’ Chase which also went the way of Jack and Shattered Love for Gordon Elliott. Friday’s action opened with another win for Kennedy when Farclas was first home in the JCB Triumph Hurdle. Kennedy held the Jukebox Jury gelding in mid division throughout after a strong pace was set by the Willie Mullins trained Stormy Ireland.
Jack was upsides the favourite Apple’s Shakira going to the last but soon pulled clear with only Mr Adjudicator to beat - a horse that had beaten Farclas in their last meeting at Leopardstown back in February. Immediately after the race Kennedy praised Elliott for having the horses in excellent shape. “He has done so well with all these horses, it’s unreal. He leaves no stone unturned and his attention to detail is second to none,” Kennedy said.
There was also a lovely moment after the Triumph Hurdle when Gigginstown owner Michael O’Leary went through a packed paddock area in search of Jack’s parents, Liz and Billy, who he brought to the Cheltenham winner’s podium for a priceless photo with Jack. Kennedy had 11 rides at Cheltenham with four wins and three thirds. His festival tally now stands at five wins.
Meanwhile, after the bright lights of Cheltenham it was back to Irish action at Limerick on Monday where there was a double for Kerry jockeys. Bryan Cooper won the opener on Castafiore Park for trainer Paul Nolan, while Kennedy’s charge, Pete So High for Gordon Elliott, recorded his sixth win of the season.