Surgeon pleased with Kennedy progress but jockey still unsure about Cheltenham

Jack Kennedy is still unsure whether his broken leg will heal in time to ride at the Cheltenham Festival in just over eight weeks time but said his surgeon was pleased with the progress he has been making since Sunday.

The 23-year-old, who leads Paul Townend by 18 winners at the top of the Irish jump jockeys championship, visited surgeon Paddy Kenny on Friday for an update on his tibia and fibula which he fractured after falling from Top Bandit in a novice chase at Naas. It was the fifth time he has broken his leg.

Kennedy said: "I got on well with my surgeon on Friday and he was happy enough with how things have gone since Sunday. I have to go back to him in two weeks time for another appointment and we will know a bit more then about how everything is healing.

"At this stage, I don't know whether I will make Cheltenham or not. It's still too early to tell. Paddy told me to take it step by step and that's what I’m doing."

While Kennedy is sidelined, Davy Russell will return to be Gordon Elliott's number one at Cullentra House having announced his return to riding on Wednesday. Russell has two rides at Fairyhouse on Saturday and three at Punchestown on Sunday, including Minella Crooner in the Grade 3 Madigan Group Novice Chase.

Mark Walsh: set for another fortnight on the sidelinesCredit: Patrick McCann

Meanwhile Mark Walsh, number one jockey to owner JP McManus, is set for another fortnight on the sidelines.

Walsh missed the Fairyhouse Winter Festival last month, having taken a heavy fall from Hands Of Gold at Thurles at the start of December. He did manage to walk back to an ambulance on that occasion, but was later stood down from his remaining rides.

Walsh returned to ride three winners over the festive period, including Saint Roi in the Grade 1 Brand New Racing Post App Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

Walsh fell from Slip Of The Tongue at Leopardstown on December 27 and was later unseated by Donkey Years in the Paddy Power Chase on the same day. The 23-time Grade 1-winning jockey also fell when riding the Willie Mullins-trained Ho My Lord the following day, before taking three rides at Limerick on December 29.

Walsh is yet to ride this year, but Frank Berry, McManus's racing manager, expects the rider to be back in time for the Dublin Racing Festival on the weekend of February 4 and 5.

Berry said: "Mark hurt a few ribs over Christmas. It looks like he's going to be out for another two weeks."

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