Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning rider Jack Kennedy suffered a suspected broken arm in a fall at Navan.
Kennedy went to hospital for X-rays after Wide Receiver fell two out in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase on Sunday. It is the latest of a succession of injuries Kennedy has suffered throughout his career, in which he has nonetheless won many of the top races on either side of the Irish Sea — including this year’s Gold Cup, on Minella Indo.
Wide Receiver, who was disputing the lead when falling, suffered a fatal injury.
Gordon Elliott, for whom Elliott rides as stable jockey, said: "Unfortunately it looks like Jack has broken his arm again. He's on his way to Blanchardstown (Connolly Hospital) with a suspected broken arm. He's very sore and upset, so my heart goes out to him.
“Jack is an incredible talent, and we’re behind him 100 per cent. All these good horses will be here for him when he comes back. Whenever Jack makes it back, we’ll be here for him — and so will all the horses.”
Notebook, meanwhile, returned to form with a convincing victory in the Grade Two Tote Fortria Chase. Henry de Bromhead’s eight-year-old made most of the running as he accounted for Samcro, in the same ownership of Gigginstown House Stud, by 10 lengths.
Samcro looked a big danger two out, but Rachael Blackmore got a big jump out of Notebook and the 8-15 favourite bounded clear. Winner of the Irish Arkle, this was Notebook's first victory since he struck at this level in the Poplar Square Chase at Naas almost 12 months ago, after which he took on the best at Leopardstown, Cheltenham and Aintree without success.
De Bromhead said: “I’m delighted with that, he was really good and jumped great. He was brilliant. It was an ideal race for him, he loves jumping and is such a class jumper — that’s his forte.”
Ginto (30-100 favourite) confirmed the promise of his point-to-point and bumper form with a winning debut in the Kilberry Pub & Kitchen Maiden Hurdle.
Making all under Jack Kennedy, the Elliott-trained five-year-old appreciated the two-and-a-half-mile trip to score by five and a half lengths from Benny The Duke.
Elliott completed a double when Buddy Rich (5-1) got off the mark over fences in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase. The eight-year-old had run second in his four previous starts over fences and got his head in front by being seeing off Ballyadam by four lengths under Davy Russell.
The Elliott yard brought up a treble on the day when Gringo D'aubrelle (4-6 favourite) ran out an impressive winner of the bumper under Jamie Codd.
