Kicking King has plenty in hand

TOM TAAFFE’S Kicking King consolidated his position near the head of Cheltenham’s Arkle Trophy market with a satisfactory display to land the Irish equivalent, the Arkle Cup at Leopardstown yesterday.

Cashmans kept the six-year-old at 5-1, behind 5-2 fancy Thisthatandtother. Victor Chandler went 4-1 from 9-2 and Grahams reacted by shortening him from 6-1 to 7-2.

Mossy Green tried to make all, but was stalked throughout by the winner. When Mossy Green made a mistake at the third last, Barry Geraghty soon eased Kicking King ahead. They were in the air together two out, but Kicking King quickly asserted and was in front off the home turn. He ran away to his left over the last, but had plenty left and forged clear to beat Central House, who made a couple of minor errors, a cosy three and a half lengths.