The spectacle of seeing the best of the best in action is all part of the irresistible appeal of the Cheltenham Festival – a comment which applies equally to the horses and the men and women in the saddle.
Regarding the jockeys, the week ended with the news that one of the most talented riders in the sport will return from injury just in time for the Prestbury Park feast of action.
Kennedy Given the All-Clear Following Injury
Reigning Irish Champion National Hunt Jockey Jack Kennedy had been out of action since the final day of November following a fall at Fairyhouse, which saw the 25-year-old rider break his leg for a sixth time.
The initial prognosis suggested it would be touch and go as to whether Kennedy would be fit in time for the biggest meeting of the year, with the rider initially due for his latest assessment this week. However, given such a run of misfortune, Kennedy was due a bit of good news and received it last week.
Following an earlier-than-expected medical assessment, Kennedy’s return was announced in a statement on the Gordon Elliott website, which read:
“Today we learned that 2023/24 champion NH jockey Jack Kennedy has been given the green light to get back to race riding for Monday at Leopardstown. He was passed fit by his surgeon, Paddy Kenny, this morning and will be a great addition to our Cheltenham team as always.”
Monday Return at Ahead of Cracking Book of Rides
Kennedy made his eagerly anticipated return at Leopardstown on Monday afternoon. With Gordon Elliott boasting 12 entries at the Dublin venue, he should have ample opportunity to tune up ahead of an enviable list of likely rides at the Cheltenham Festival.
A 17-year-old Kennedy recorded his first Cheltenham Festival success when partnering Labaik to a surprise victory in the 2017 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Jack has picked up 10 further wins at the March meeting in the intervening years, including the Gold Cup in 2021 and the Stayers’ Hurdle in 2021. Looking at his potential partners in 2025, the tough-as-teak rider has every chance of adding to his impressive tally.
Paul Townend aside, perhaps no rider has access to such a pool of equine talent as Kennedy. The number one rider for Gigginstown House Stud and Gordon Elliott has much to look forward to at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, with the following quintet, in particular, likely to set his pulse racing.
Brighterdaysahead
The most obvious place to start is with one of the most exciting mares in training. Simply sensational when hacking up by 30 lengths in the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Hurdle last time out, Brighterdaysahead heads the betting for the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle, but looks set to head to the Champion Hurdle and a mouthwatering clash with Constitution Hill.
Teahupoo
Having finished a close third in 2023, Teahupoo made no mistake in the 2024 edition of the Stayers’ Hurdle. Following up with an emphatic success in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown, he ended the season as the king of the staying division and is hot favourite to defend his Cheltenham crown.
Romeo Coolio
Long spoken of in glowing terms by his trainer, Romeo Coolio ran a cracker to finish second in the 2024 Champion Bumper. Sent over hurdles in 2024/25, he has won two of three starts, including a nine-length romp in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle. Next stop, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on the opening day.
The Yellow Clay
This Bective Stud runner has taken his solid bumper form to new heights since being sent over hurdles. Last sighted storming eight lengths clear in the Grade 1 Lawlor’s of Naas Novice Hurdle, his record over obstacles now stands at four wins from as many starts by a combined winning distance of 27 lengths. The Turners Novices’ Hurdle and the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle are both on the table for this son of Yeats.
Better Days Ahead
Also sporting the green and white silks of Bective Stud, Better Days Ahead took his owners to the Cheltenham Winners Enclosure when claiming the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle in 2024. A clash with Ballyburn in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase looks to be on the cards this time around.
Given his rotten luck with injuries, Brighterdaysahead and Better Days Ahead would be aptly named winners for Kennedy. Whether they come home in front remains to be seen, but the rider expressed his satisfaction at being back in the saddle when stating:
“I feel great, and it’s great to be back riding out again. Gordon has an unbelievable team of horses going over, and it would be lovely to be riding some of them.”
