Kennedy's brilliant horsemanship earns an unlikely victory

Trained by Gordon Elliott, the chaser pitched on the landing after the fourth fence at the track in Ireland and his race appeared to be over when Kennedy – the rising star of the weighing room – slid out of the saddle and was left clinging on.

As the horse continued galloping, and with the jockey’s feet almost on the turf, he somehow managed to pull himself back on board with the strength of an Olympic gymnast and keep the partnership intact.

Robin Des Mana had lost his position, but soon found his way back to the front and got the better of a late duel with 50-1 shot Kiera Royale to prevail by half a length.

As replays of the race were played out on social media, and Sky News, a modest Kennedy said: “I was a little bit embarrassed that I got thrown out of the saddle so I said I’d better try and stay on him!

“I got shot out of the saddle, it was a silly little mistake and I thought I was gone but didn’t fancy getting galloped on.

“I was lucky the railing was there as I’d have been gone out of the race and he kept straight and that was a big help.

“I got in underneath the last (fence) and could see the other horse coming to me, but he pulled it out.”

Kingswell Theatre could return to Cheltenham for a tilt at the Glenfarcl