Kennedy conjures magical surge from Delta Work to secure epic Savills Chase

The Savills Chase has been a source of some lavish spectacles in recent years and the latest edition added another epic instalment to that catalogue as a resurgent Delta Work thrust himself back into the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup picture with a scrambled head triumph from the gallant Monalee.

Seven years ago, Ruby Walsh and Tidal Bay conspired to plunder a dramatic victory in the €175,000 contest that has recently been in the conversation for the most thrilling race of the decade.

This might not have had quite the same degree of sorcery, but the manner in which Jack Kennedy conjured such an impeccably timed challenge on Delta Work was reminiscent of Walsh in his pomp.

It wasn’t just the fractions, though, as the droll 21-year-old County Kerry native executed a sublime confidence-restoring steer.

On his Down Royal reappearance, when Kennedy was sidelined with a broken collarbone, Delta Work didn’t jump with any fluency when he was covered up behind horses.

Mindful of that, Kennedy charted a wide course. As the redoubtable Monalee took the field along under Rachael Blackmore, Delta Work had plenty of light all the way and, apart from nudging the final ditch three-out, he fenced with the sort of efficiency that defined his excellent novice campaign.

When they swung for home, Monalee was still pouring it on, but, even as they took the final fence, seven of the eight runners were within striking distance.

All to play for: Delta Work (second right) gets up to beat Monalee (right) with Road To Respect (left) in third, Kemboy (second left) fourth and Presenting Percy (green) in fifthCredit: Patrick McCann

Kemboy and Road To Respect were challenging and Davy Russell was looking for a run on Presenting Percy, while Delta Work had five horses in front of him as he touched down.

The picture soon changed. Delta Work sprouted wings and soon had Monalee in his sights, although the eventual runner-up would not lie down.

Blackmore lost her irons on the run-in, but the winner had a fraction more left and Kennedy punched him home with aplomb.

Three years ago, the rising star of the weighing room secured his first Grade 1 in the race on Outlander for the same Gordon Elliott-Gigginstown House Stud combination.

His and Elliott’s second win in the race, and their second Grade 1 of the day after Apple’s Jade’s stirring earlier comeback, marked the 20th top-level success of the rider’s career.

Unsurprisingly, the trainer paid tribute to a jockey who had already suffered three leg fractures despite his tender years.

“Jack is riding out of his skin,” Elliott beamed. “He has been plagued with injuries, so it is great to see him back like this riding a Grade 1 double. He is a top-class jockey.”

Jack Kennedy and Gordon Elliott: “Jack is riding out of his skin,' said the trainerCredit: Alain Barr

Kennedy’s sedate disposition is already the stuff of legend, but there was no hiding this was a particularly sweet moment.

"It has been an unbelievable couple of days,” he said. "I would like to think that I am riding better now than ever and the last few days have been great for my confidence. Today would have to be up there with one of my best ever."

Of the duel with Monalee, he added: "I thought I was going to win 100 yards out but then Rachael came back at me and I was praying for the line. It all worked out in the end.”

The victory, at odds of 11-2, saw Delta Work cut from 25-1 to 10-1 by Paddy Power for Gold Cup honours, with Boylesports taking more evasive action by going 8-1 from 16-1.

Kennedy, Elliott and Gigginstown, who have farmed 14 winners across the festive period, each departed with a treble apiece from the third leg of Leopardstown’s gala.

For a firm whose modus operandi is to produce Gold Cup contenders, this was the piece de resistance. On the eve of his seventh birthday, Delta Work's fourth Grade 1 win confirmed his potential.

“We thought he was a Gold Cup horse last season and obviously our bubble got burst at Down Royal, but we're not gone yet,” Elliott declared.

“There was no pressure coming here but this is very special. We were riding him to come home and run a good race because there is a good bit of improvement in him, so for him to do this is unbelievable.”

Watch the thrilling Savills Chase

Road To Respect had also claimed Clan Des Obeaux’s scalp at Down Royal. He couldn’t confirm superiority over Delta Work but kept on to be third, as Presenting Percy, who travelled and jumped with great zest, ultimately failed to land a telling blow in fifth after coming from the rear.

Presenting Percy's run tapered out as Kemboy, who rode shotgun to Monalee for much of the journey and raced a mite keenly, nabbed him for fourth.

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