King can reign in Red Mills
Returning after an absence of more than two years, the ten-year-old did all, and more, that was required of him on this track 23 days ago.
The trip, two miles and a furlong, was well short of his best and he was taken into an immediate lead by Barry Geraghty.
Except for erring two out, Kicking King’s jumping was first-class and he raced with plenty of enthusiasm. In the end he had to give best by a length and a quarter to Nickname, with the only other runner, Newmill, a further length and three parts behind.
Neither Nickname nor Newmill has done anything for the form in the meantime, but that’s hardly a worry. Kicking king is entitled to come on enormously for that run and only if he has gone backwards can you envisage him meeting defeat.
Quatre Heures, who made an excellent start over fences at Navan, can land the Walshs’ Toyota Beginners Chase.
He attempted to make all then, before going under by three parts of a length to Clopf. Like Kicking King, Quatre Heures should come on a bundle for his initial outing of the campaign.
The Red Mills Centernary Trial Hrdle is a real puzzle. Jazz Messenger has the best of the weights, but Noel Meade’s horses continue largely out of form and you couldn’t put him forward with any confidence.
The hopeful nod falls on Catch Me, himself beaten at odds of 2-11 at Thurles in December. Found to be clinically abnormal after the race, he is a really good horse at his best and always goes well fresh.
Scotsirish is the nap choice in the Kevin McManus Flyingbolt Novice Chase at Navan tomorrow.
Normally a safe jumper, he took an uncharacteristic fall at the seventh in the Arkle Cup won by Thyne Again at Leopardstown.
Previously, also at Leopardstown, he seemed in good shape when slamming the smart Wins Now by an easy three and a half lengths.
Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins team up with Scotsirish and could also supply the answer to the ladbrokes.com Boyne Hurdle with Alexander Taipan.
He is 16lbs wrong with Aitmatov and has it all to do with several others as well. But Alexander Taipan was absolutely tanking when falling five out, race won by Earth Magic, at Gowran Park last time and there is the strong suspicion the best of him has yet to be seen.
The progressive Pomme Tiepy is very much a third Mullins-Walsh possibility in the Keatings’ Oil Ten Up Novice Chase.
She beat Kilcrea Castle a cosy four lengths at Leopardstown and can confirm the placings on just 3lbs worse terms.
