Jack Kennedy ruled out of Cheltenham Festival following surgery on broken leg

Jack Kennedy will miss the Cheltenham Festival after undergoing surgery on Monday to repair a broken leg suffered at Leopardstown.

The highs and lows of racing were epitomised in the cruellest of circumstances for Kennedy on Sunday. He won the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup on Delta Work just 30 minutes prior to fracturing his right femur when unseated from Dallas Des Pictons in the Gaelic Plant Hire Handicap Chase.

The five-time Cheltenham festival-winning rider was taken from Leopardstown to hospital for x-rays that evening, when the fracture was confirmed.

IHRB senior medical officer Dr Jennifer Pugh said on Monday: "Jack has had surgery on his leg this morning and thankfully that went well.

"Unfortunately at this stage the timing will mean Jack will miss Cheltenham. Hopefully he should get home from hospital tomorrow."

Jack Kennedy: won the Irish Gold Cup on Sunday aboard Delta WorkCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The 20-year-old, who has an impressive 22 Grade 1 wins to his name, has now suffered four leg fractures in his short but glittering career.

He will miss out on renewing his partnership with leading Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Delta Work, as well as a number of high-profile names at Prestbury Park next month.

Kennedy was out of action for two weeks last month following a procedure to remedy a scar infection from a metal plate previously inserted in his collarbone.

Falls at Down Royal last June and Punchestown last October saw him sidelined with damaged collarbones. He also missed almost a month during the summer while having surgery to repair a broken screw previously inserted in his leg.

Kennedy was out of action for 100 days when fracturing his left femur at Punchestown in May 2017.

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