King gives Gold Cup rivals a kicking
Kicking King, an imperious seven-year-old, is trained by Tom Taaffe, son of the late, great Pat. The senior Taaffe, of course, rode might Arkle to take three Gold Cups and also won the race on Fort Leney.
Over two weeks earlier Taaffe had declared Kicking King a “certain”' non-starter. Utterly distraught, he reported that his charge had worked badly and then scoped badly. “It's not the end of the world, no one has died”', he said.
Within a couple of days, however, Kicking King was back on track. Taaffe decided he would not use any antibiotics to treat the infection and, instead, let nature take its course. It was an inspired decision.
By Thursday of last week, eight days prior to the Gold Cup, he issued a statement. Kicking King was back in the picture.
Explained Taaffe: “He was so well, he was telling me to take him to Cheltenham to show what he could do.”
What an intelligent horse! In truth, Kicking King toyed with his rivals and Barry Geraghty's biggest problem through the contest was to delay his challenge as long as possible.
“I warned Barry not to let him go until turning in”, said Taaffe. In truth, however, Geraghty could have made his move at any stage of the contest and still won.
Grey Abbey carried them along, as Kicking King floated across the rapidly drying ground. Geraghty had enough of the messing three out and powered Kicking King ahead.
Turning in only outsider Take A Stand offered any sort of resistance. For a few strides he looked a distinct danger and there was precious little between them rising to the second last.
Geraghty, however, was coolness personified. At the back of the fence he let out an inch of rein and Kicking King bounded clear to score by a whopping five lengths.
“My legs were shaking when he jumped the last”, admitted Taaffe, as he was in danger of being kissed to death in the winner's enclosure.
“I've been telling you all what a good horse he is and that he would stay. He's pissed in.
“In my opinion this was not the highest class of Gold Cup, but he could only beat what was put in front of him.
“This is a great day for the Taaffe family and I am delighted the name is back on the Gold Cup roll of honour. I'm delighted for my staff and all my owners. The party starts now and will go on for a few months.
“I am sorry Best Mate wasn't here and sorry for connections. I always felt that if any horse could stop him breaking Arkle's three in-a-row record it was Kicking King. Who knows what would have happened if Best Mate had run. He could go to Punchestown, he didn't have a hard race today.”
Taaffe related how he had broken the news to Conor Clarkson (owner) that his pride and joy would have to miss the Gold Cup.
“Conor was in his car. He told me he did not move the car for two hours and just sat there crying.”
If Clarkson felt like crying yesterday then it was with sheer, unadulterated joy. “The sun is shining on us today”, said Clarkson.
“It is a bonus just being here, and to have won is an unbelievable feeling, a great moment.
“I remember when Tom rang to say the horse would not be able to run. I was driving on the motorway in Spain and after I pulled over to the side it was two hours before I was able to manoeuvre the car back onto the road again.
“I feel sorry for Best Mate's connections that he wasn't here. He is a great champion and it would be a privilege to run against him. Hopefully, Best Mate will be back next year and it would be an honour to take him on.”
It has been an incredible week for Geraghty, who returned to a rapturous reception on Wednesday when Moscow Flyer landed the Queen Mother two mile Champion Chase.
Said Geraghty: “He's a machine, at three miles or two furlongs further, he's shown he's the best there is.
“He's got pace, jumps and stays. He's only seven and is going to be a serious horse next year, please God he can come back and do it all again.
“There was no rush to make a move, he jumped the last three brilliantly and just dossed a bit when he hit the front. I just dropped him in, as I had no worries about the trip. He'd have beaten Best Mate today!
“I am lucky enough to be in a position to compare winning this race with winning the Champion Chase. I think I can safely say I am fortunate enough to be riding the two best chasers in racing. Kicking King is some tool, he was running away all the time.
“I have had an unbelievable week. My father, brother, and girlfriend were all in tears and that brings a tear to your own eyes. To see them so emotional really brings it home.”
Sadly, for Michael Hourigan and his family, it was a dismal afternoon. Beef Or Salmon performed deplorably, jumped poorly and was eventually pulled up. “He never recovered from a mistake at the first”, said Paul Carberry.
Ladbrokes make Kicking King 4-1 favourite for a repeat next year. Then they go 8-1 Best Mate, 14-1 Kingscliff, 25-1 bar. Paddy Power offer Kicking King at 4-1 as well and it is 7-1 Best Mate. It is 4-1 Kicking King and 5-1 Best Mate with Cashmans.
