'Jack knocks a tune out of him like nobody else' - O'Leary backs Delta Work call

Jack Kennedy's ability to get the best out of Delta Work was the deciding factor in Gordon Elliott demanding the rider partner his horse instead of Gold Cup hero Minella Indo in Saturday's Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal, according to Eddie O'Leary, racing manager for Gigginstown House Stud.

Elliott insisted Davy Russell and Jack Kennedy ride his horses at Down Royal at declaration stage on Thursday morning, which paved the way for Rachael Blackmore to renew her partnership with Minella Indo and rising star Envoi Allen.

Earlier this week, Henry de Bromhead revealed it was the intention for Kennedy to retain the ride on Minella Indo in Saturday's feature, and the rider schooled the eight-year-old this week.

However, O'Leary said Gigginstown and Elliott believe Delta Work can emulate Don Cossack by landing the Gold Cup, and outlined how important Kennedy is to the five-time Grade 1 winner achieving that ambition.

O'Leary said: "Delta Work is Gordon's Gold Cup horse, he's our Gold Cup horse and Jack knocks a tune out of him like nobody else can.

"The one thing I will say is, Delta Work always needs his first run of the season. That's been well documented down the years and he's likely to come on for Saturday. But this is our Gold Cup horse and Jack knows him better than anybody."

Kennedy was magnanimous about losing the ride on Minella Indo, the horse he described as giving him his greatest day in the saddle, and wished the connections of the Gold Cup winner well.

Minella Indo and Jack Kennedy triumph in last season's Gold Cup but the two will be in opposition on SaturdayCredit: Michael Steele (Getty Images)

"That's racing," Kennedy told Racing TV at Clonmel on Thursday. "He gave me the biggest day of my career and I wish Barry Maloney, Henry, the horse and Rachael the best with him. You never know what might happen in the future and I might be back on him at some point. I'm looking forward to getting back on Delta Work and hopefully he'll be bang there."

Kennedy has partnered Delta Work to victory in the Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup and he added: "He did himself a little injury in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown and that ruled him out for the rest of last season.

"Touch wood, he's fit and healthy and is in good form so I'm looking forward to riding him. He's been very good to me and has given me some great days so hopefully we'll have some more with him."

Elliott described Kennedy and Russell as his jockeys shortly after the declaration stage and said the decision to prevent both men taking outside rides was driven by a need to keep his owners happy.

He said: "I have my own jockeys. They're either riding for me or they aren't. I have my own owners to keep happy and my owners wanted my jockeys to ride their horses so that's the way it is.

"I want to see my jockeys ride good horses but I have runners in the same races. If my owners want my jockeys, there's nothing I can do.

"It's hard for Jack having to get off a Gold Cup winner but he rides a lot of our horses here and we're hoping Delta Work is our Gold Cup horse."

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