RETIRED JOCKEY Davy Russell is to come out of retirment to cover for the injured Jack Kennedy after he broke his leg at the weekend.
Russell, who retired in 2022 after a victory at Thurles will now become Gordon Elliot's number one jockey after the injury.
It is still up in the air if Kennedy will be at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
On Sunday, trainer Elliott told Racing TV: "It didn't look good. I went down to the fence when he got the fall and he looked pretty sore."
"It looked like he was in pole position to be champion jockey. If it's not going to happen this year, hopefully it will happen sometime for him," added Elliott.
Davy Russell to resume race riding on Saturday....
@_Davy_Russel_ Statement below... pic.twitter.com/cy7qbL7j2G— Bill Esdaile (@BillEsdaile) January 11, 2023
Russell is best known for winning the Grand National at Aintree on Tiger Roll in 2018 and 2019 and the 2014 Cheltenham Gold Cup with Lord Windermere.
The Cork Russell native will now ride at Fairyhouse on Saturday and Punchestown on Sunday.
A statement read: "After meeting with Gordon today, I have decided to come out of retirement and ride for the short period while Jack is on the sidelines.
“It’s only been a matter of weeks since I retired, and I actually rode more out this morning than I have in many years.
“We are a close team in Cullentra and after what happened last weekend, I want to help the team through a difficult few weeks.
“The plan is to resume riding in Fairyhouse on Saturday and Punchestown on Sunday.”
