Pipe leads tributes to Kelly

Champion trainer Martin Pipe led the tributes to Irish jockey Kieran Kelly who died on Tuesday night.

The 25-year-old had been critically ill on a life-support machine since taking a heavy fall at Kilbeggan last Friday.

Pipe gave Kelly his first ride in the Martell Grand National on Dark Stranger in 2001 and the Pond House handler was quick to hail his riding skills.

He said: "He was a very talented jockey and I had a lot of respect for him. He had his first ride for us in the Grand National two years ago.

"It's a great shock and sadness for everyone.

"We have a lot of Irish staff here and they are all very upset as is AP (McCoy). It's a real shock for racing," he added.

Kelly was riding the Dessie Hughes-trained Balmy Native in the Joe Cooney Memorial Handicap Chase when the horse fell at the fifth fence from home.

The rider, who had been with Hughes for five years and was his stable jockey, was kicked on the head and Balmy Native then rolled on top of him.

Paramedics were quickly on the scene and he was rushed to Tullamore Hospital before being transferred to Beaumont where he died on Tuesday evening.