Race to become Champion Jockey set to go down to the wire
Jack Kennedy retains a narrow lead over Paul Townend
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Paul Townend (left) and Jack Kennedy are locked in a tight battle to be crowned Ireland's Champion Jockey
The race to become Ireland's Champion Jockey for the 2023/24 National Hunt season is set to go down to the wire.
Jack Kennedy, seeking his maiden crown, currently leads Paul Townend by four after both enjoyed success at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival.
Kennedy triumphed on Brewin'upastorm for travelling British trainer Olly Murphy in the Grade 2 Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle, taking his tally for the season to 116.
Townend struck Grade 1 gold with Jade De Grugy in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Honeysuckle Mares' Novice Hurdle, one of three wins across the weekend for the reigning champion.
Townend then took his number of victories this season to 112 by scoring on Get Glory at Naas on Thursday in the colours of Audrey Turley, who also owns dual Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs.
The 33-year-old, who was in the saddle for both those Cheltenham Festival successes, is seeking a sixth successive Champion Jockey crown and seventh in all, while Kennedy is enjoying a career-best season having seen his dreams dashed by a broken leg last term.
The weather could yet have a say in who prevails - both were set to ride at Wexford this evening but that meeting has been abandoned.
Elsewhere, Patrick Mullins is set to claim the Amateur Jockey crown and sits third overall on 57 wins, just ahead of Keith Donoghue (56), while Mark Walsh has also reached his half century.
Danny Gilligan (36) leads by nine in the Conditional Jockey standings. To see all the latest leaderboards, click here.