Title up for grabs Jockeys’ Agent Andrew ‘Frosty’ Kelly, fresh from losing two stone to ride in the St Patrick’s Day Derby at Cheltenham, could have a battle of a different kind ahead of him as the jumps’ season draws to a conclusion. Following news of Paul Townend’s collarbone injury on Saturday, Kelly’s principal jockey Davy Russell, himself currently out of action with a wrist injury, has been presented with a chance of winning his first Jockeys’ Championship. Kelly stated “Davy suffered a small hairline fracture to his wrist at Thurles on Thursday and he is having the cast removed next weekend. He says his wrist feels good and should be back riding for Aintree on April 7. “I actually haven’t discussed the Jockeys’ Championship with Davy, but news of Paul (Townend’s) injury has to bring both Davy and Paul Carberry into the equation.” Kelly, who partnered 19 winners (eight over jumps) during his time as an apprentice and jump jockey, also reflected on his ‘comeback’ ride when finishing third on Super Collider in the St Patrick’s Day Derby at Cheltenham recently. He says “to make the weight was my main aim and I had to lose two stone to ride in the race!” “I had been really looking forward to the race but when it came around, I had never seen anything like it – you couldn’t put the experience into words, it was just a surreal experience.” “I had ridden once at Aintree years ago but had never ridden at Cheltenham - I understand now why the boys love it so much. To ride in the Charity Race was amazing but I’d say to ride in one of the Championship races would be out of this world.” Kelly also met Guest Of Honour Henry Cecil on the day and says “getting to meet Henry Cecil (who trained the winner of the race, Plato) was a big thrill. He's a very nice man who gave time to meet everyone who rode in the race.” “I’d like to thank John Hanlon for giving me the ride on Super Collider. The horse ended up running in Paul Duffin’s, a good friend of mine, colours as another horse we had lined up for the race didn’t make the lineup.” Kelly raised a worthy £7,500 of the £181,000 total for Cancer Research to ride in the race. Thomas Weekes
