Jack Kennedy misses out on Apple's Jade ride in Christmas Hurdle

Jack Kennedy will miss the ride on favourite Apple’s Jade in the Grade 1 Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown on Thursday following two falls at the track on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old was also set to be on board Outlander, who will now be ridden by Rachael Blackmore, in the Grade 1 Leopardstown Christmas Chase later on Thursday.

Davy Russell takes the ride on Apple's Jade, his first time on the five-year-old. His intended mount, Lieutenant Colonel, also owned by Giggingstown, misses the Christmas Hurdle with a temperature.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Apple's Jade and Outlander, said on Thursday morning: "Jack came in to ride out this morning, but he's quite sore after a couple of falls yesterday and he won't be riding today or on Friday.”

Kennedy was riding Mengli Khan in the Paddy Power Future Champions Hurdle when the Elliott-trained odds-on favourite crashed through the wing of the second-last hurdle. He was later unseated when Ball D'Arc blundered badly at the final fence in the Paddy's Rewards Club Chase.

Apple’s Jade faces five rivals in the Christmas Hurdle over three miles on a seven-race card that passed a morning inspection.

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