The comeback King

FAIRYTALES are supposed to be the province of Hans Christian Andersen, but the Cheltenham Festival once again proved its ability yesterday to weave the most incredible stories together when Kicking King won the Gold Cup for Ireland.

Seventeen days ago his owner Conor Clarkson was in Spain when he received a text message from trainer Tom Taaffe that Kicking King’s Gold Cup hopes had perished as a result of the horse having scoped badly.

Yesterday the horse defied not only the veterinary prognosis, but the doubts of many that he had the capacity to last the testing three miles, two furlong trip of Chasing’s blue riband race. He also helped lift the Irish challenge at the meeting to a record nine wins. And, in doing so, he became only the fourth horse to win both the Gold Cup and the King George, joining Desert Orchid, Best Mate and Arkle.