'Jack's the key to Delta Work' - Kennedy boost for Elliott's Irish Gold Cup hope

Gordon Elliott has insisted Jack Kennedy is the key to his reigning Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup hero Delta Work and is predicting a big performance from his five-time Grade 1 winner in the feature race of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Delta Work is without a win since being galvanised by Kennedy to edge Kemboy in a thrilling running of the race 12 months ago. That triumph will evoke bittersweet memories for the rider given he suffered a broken leg half an hour later when unseating from Dallas Des Pictons, an injury that ruled him out of the Cheltenham Festival.

At Christmas, Kennedy again missed the ride on Delta Work through injury, with his replacement Sean Flanagan unshipped early in the Savills Chase, and Elliott is in little doubt that the Gigginstown-owned chaser grows an inch or two when the Kerryman is aboard.