Kennedy injury not as bad as first feared so teen sensation fine for Punchestown

Jack Kennedy breathed a huge sigh of relief on Tuesday night as initial fears that he may have fractured his left arm at Fairyhouse were not borne out by x-rays which revealed he had simply suffered some soft-tissue bruising.

With Kennedy set to partner the unbeaten Samcro at Punchestown next week, his nasty spill from Monkshood briefly looked set to spoil his end-of-season party but good news emerged from Blanchardstown Hospital late on Tuesday night.

"It looks like it is just soft tissue bruising and I would say he will be fine for Punchestown next week. He was just sent for x-rays as a precaution," said Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board chief medical officer Dr Adrian McGoldrick.

Monkshood guessed at the first flight in the 3m novice handicap hurdle and, despite a valiant attempt from Kennedy to stay on board, he was unable to keep the partnership intact and was then trampled on by the pack in behind.

Initial fears were that Kennedy had fractured his left arm and he was sent to hospital for X-rays but news that it was simply soft-tissue bruising would have been music to his ears as he has an envious book of rides next week.

"Jack just has some bruising and he will be fine for next week thank God," said Gordon Elliott.

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