Gold Cup hero King bows out

KICKING KING, winner of the 2005 Cheltenham Gold Cup, can look forward to a long and happy retirement after connections called time on his glittering career yesterday.

Now a 10-year-old, he had been nursed back into action last season following a serious tendon injury and hopes were high he had retained his ability following an encouraging return after a 759-day absence.

However, in four subsequent starts the Tom Taaffe’s dual King George VI Chase hero failed to show his old sparkle, and now bows out.