King kicks off with easy win

KICKING KING made a perfect start to his season by claiming the Grade Two National Lottery Agent Champion Chase at Gowran Park yesterday.

Tom Taaffe’s six-year-old, narrowly beaten by Well Chief in the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham last season, jumped well throughout and recorded a smooth success.

Barry Geraghty settled the 11-4 shot in third place as Cloudy Bays and Alcapone cut out the early running in the two and a half mile contest.