Jack Kennedy suffers suspected broken leg after nasty fall at Naas

Jack Kennedy's prospects of winning a first jump jockeys' title have potentially been hit with a crushing blow as the table-topper suffered a suspected broken leg at Naas on Sunday.

The 23-year-old started the day with a 20-win lead over five-time champion Paul Townend, but he took a heavy tumble at the fourth fence in the 2m novice chase, which fatally injured his mount Top Bandit.

The rider was taken to Tallaght University Hospital for further assessment and missed the remainder of his rides, including Irish Point in the feature Grade 1 Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle.

With the Cheltenham Festival just over two months away, Kennedy will face a race against time to be fit for the four biggest days of the season if the injury turns out to be as serious as initially thought.

Trainer Gordon Elliott said: "It doesn't look good for Jack, unfortunately. It's low down on the left leg, so we'll just have to wait and see what the x-ray says. Hopefully it's not as serious as we think.

"Whatever happens, the horses will be here for him when he's back. He's a massive part of the team at Cullentra and I wish him a speedy recovery."

Jack Kennedy: scored his latest Grade 1 success on Conflated at LeopardstownCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Kennedy has been in flying form all season and celebrated the 36th Grade 1 victory of his short but distinguished career when Conflated landed the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

It was the third top-level success of the campaign for Kennedy, who also ended Honeysuckle's unbeaten run on Teahupoo in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle last month and won the Drinmore Novice Chase with Mighty Potter at the same meeting.

Townend went on to complete a double on the Naas card on Sunday with Appreciate It and Hunters Yarn, which means the scoreboard now reads 77-59 to Kennedy with less than four months of the season remaining.

Jordan Gainford stepped in for the ride on Irish Point in the feature contest and finished second behind Champ Kiely.

Kennedy's latest injury comes just three weeks after Davy Russell, who had been a key part of Elliott's team, announced his retirement from riding.

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