Taaffe pleased with Kicking King progress

TOM TAAFFE has issued an upbeat bulletin on sidelined 2005 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kicking King.

The eight-year-old was denied the opportunity of defending his crown in this year's blue riband after suffering a tendon injury. "He's super and is riding and trotting out every day," the County Kildare handler told At The Races.

"He's in the best of shape so we don't have any problems there. He's very, very good and his leg is very good."