King for a day

KICKING KING lapped up the attention yesterday morning as the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup hero was given a rapturous welcome at his County Kildare base.

The seven-year-old put the famous family name of Taaffe back in the spotlight after his magnificent display in the blue riband on Friday. Most of the local village, including dozens of children, were on hand as trainer Tom Taaffe led the Conor Clarkson-owned gelding out himself to meet his adoring public.

The bay gelding looked in fantastic shape and hardly turned a hair as he posed for picture after picture, and the Gold Cup itself was passed around for all to see.