Kennedy excited for Festival debut

Teenage jockey Jack Kennedy is looking forward to his first experience of riding at the Cheltenham Festival.

The 16-year-old conditional is expected to be the youngest jockey at this year’s Festival and is waiting to see which rides he will pick up for trainer Gordon Elliott.

He is likely to secure a ride in the Martin Pipe race, and may also be on board in a couple of handicaps, and Kennedy is eager to enjoy the experience.

“I’m not really sure what to expect,” Kennedy told Racing UK. “I’ve been there just spectating and there’s a great atmosphere around the place, but I’m sure it’s a completely different ball game going riding there. I’m looking forward to it.

“I even used to get half days from school to go home and watch it. It’s a dream come true to be going there this year.

“Gordon has a great team of horses and he’s been very good to me, he’s given me loads of opportunities, so it would be nice to get on one or two of them.”

Kennedy is also able to ride on the Flat and he partnered last season’s County Hurdle winner Wicklow Brave to finish second in the Ebor at York in August.

However, Kennedy sees his long-term future in the National Hunt sphere and acknowledged his admiration for his senior contemporary Davy Russell.

Kennedy said: “As long as my weight allows me, I’ll probably mix between both, but I definitely see myself as a jump jockey in the long run.

“I look at different people but I suppose the one that stands out to me is Davy Russell, I love the way he rides. I don’t try and ride like anyone else, I ride the way I’m comfortable, but I love the way Davy Russell rides.”

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