Kennedy escapes serious injury in Tipperary fall Jack Kennedy could make a swift return to action after suffering bruising in a fall at Tipperary on Sunday. There were fears Kennedy could be set for another spell on the sidelines following his fall from Fancy Foundations in the Tipperary Town Plate Handicap Chase. The eight-year-old looked likely to finish a well-held second before a tired fall at the last saw the gelding part company with his rider. The jockey underwent an X-Ray this morning to reveal the extent of any damage caused by the fall, but was given the positive news there were no broken bones. The Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning rider is booked for five mounts at Ballinrobe on Tuesday, but Kennedy’s agent Kevin O’Ryan, has suggested the 23-year-old will wait until the morning before deciding whether to make a swift return to the saddle. “His X-ray has come back fine, all OK,” said O’Ryan. “Jack wants to see what it is like in the morning, before he decides when he next rides. But all the X-rays are clear thankfully, just bruising. “He’s OK, whether he rides on Tuesday or not is another thing, he may choose to take a few days off, but nothing is broken.” Kennedy currently holds a clear lead in the National Hunt Jockeys' Championship with 25 winners this season. Meanwhile Mark McDonagh faces a spell on the sidelines after a heavy fall from Kemstar at Downpatrick last Wednesday. The 5lb claimer has enjoyed a great run of success this year highlighted by the victory of Banbridge in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and already has nine winners on the board this season. His agent Garry Cribbin said, “Mark has slightly punctured his lung and has three broken ribs. “It’s a pity as he’s been having a fantastic time with fantastic support from trainers - from Cheltenham to winning the Ulster National on Spades Are Trumps. “He’ll bounce back.”
