Jack Kennedy aiming to return from broken collarbone next week

Jack Kennedy is aiming to return to race-riding next week after getting back in the saddle for exercise work on Wednesday morning.

The leading jockey fell on both his rides at Punchestown just over a month ago but the second spill from Swordsman left Kennedy with a broken collarbone.

He has had to miss a number of top stars returning to action in recent weeks, including the winning comebacks of Samcro and Battleoverdoyen, and Kennedy, 20, is eager to get back on track in the next ten days.

"I was back riding out this morning, it's good to be making progress with it," he said on Wednesday.

"Hopefully I'll be back next week, possibly on Thursday or Saturday."

Kennedy, who had an interrupted summer due to injury, added: "It's been great to see so many of the horses in good shape and I'm looking forward to getting back. Gordon's [Elliott] horses seem to be in great form."

Galway Plate: the big race on WednesdayCredit: Patrick McCann

One rider who is facing a longer spell on the sidelines is Luke Dempsey after he suffered a broken leg in a fall at Punchestown on Sunday.

The 23-year-old, who won the 2015 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle on Willie Mullins' Killultagh Vic, had been enjoying a strong season, which included big race success aboard the Gordon Elliott-trained Borice in the Galway Plate.

Dempsey said: "It's a bit of a sickener as it couldn't have happened at a worse time of year, especially missing out on Christmas. I'm comfortable though and am not doing too badly.

"I had an operation on Monday after breaking either side of my ankle, so I had pins put in it. Jennifer Pugh [senior medical officer] said it's possible I could be back in early February."

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