Kennedy’s fifth leg break

TOP Irish jockey Jack Kennedy faces an extended spell on the sidelines following confirmation yesterday that he broke a leg in a fall at Naas on Sunday.

The 23-year-old, who is 18 winners clear of main challenger Paul Townend in the Irish jump jockey’s championship, suffered a nasty fall from Top Bandit in the novice chase won by Appreciate It.

It is the fifth broken leg he has suffered in his career and he faces a race against time to be fit for the Cheltenham Festival in March.

His agent Kevin O’Ryan said: ‘It looks like it’s a fracture of his lower leg and he will go and see a surgeon in a couple of days. It’s a big blow and he’ll be doing his damnedest to be back as quickly as possible.’

● PAUL NICHOLLS yesterday broke through the century mark for the season as the champion trainer and jockey Harry Cobden teamed up for a sparkling four-timer at Taunton.

The Ditcheat handler began the afternoon on 97 winners for the campaign and victories for Iliko D’Olivate, Cap Du Mathan, Rare Middleton and Afadil took his tally past the 100-mark.

Nicholls said: ‘I’m very happy with everything — the way the horses are looking, the way they are running and the way Harry is riding. Everybody is working hard at home, it’s fantastic.’