Kicking King and Harchibald make it a great day for Irish
Both are now among the market leaders for the Gold Cup and the Champion Hurdle.
But not even Father Christmas could derail Kicking King as he provided the festive cheer with a splendid success in the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton Park yesterday.
But the 3-1 favourite had to survive a horrendous last-fence blunder before claiming the prize.
Having approached the final obstacle with a 10-length advantage, Kicking King’s fluent jumping fell apart at the worst possible time as he barely lifted a leg and pitched jockey Barry Geraghty right into the fence.
And after gathering up the pieces and maintaining momentum aboard the winner, Geraghty then had to avoid the antics of someone dressed in full Santa Claus regalia who calmly walked across the track only yards in front of him.
But despite the best efforts of Kingscliff, who stayed on all the way up the run-in to get within two-and-a-half lengths of Kicking King, the race had already been won.
Azertyuiop, tackling three miles for the first time, ran a hugely creditable race, despite palpably failing to see out the distance.
That trio were a street ahead of fourth-home Le Roi Miguel, with well-fancied horses such as Lord Sam, Calling Brave and Tiutchev failing to fire.
Kicking King had taken up the running from early leader First Gold heading out on the final circuit and injected a burst of acceleration which quickly put his rivals under pressure.
It was a performance - achieved in a fast time - which saw both the winner and runner-up harden considerably in the betting for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Connections of Kicking King shared a mixture of joy and relief.
“He got very tired going to the last,” said Geraghty.
“I went early, probably too early, and I should have waited longer.
“He missed a couple in the back straight, which I didn’t really anticipate because he had jumped so well, and going down to the last he just emptied on me.
“I just grabbed hold of him. I was hanging on to his ears at one stage, but he was good. I gave him a smack and he went again - but then I nearly knocked down Santa Claus!
“The horse didn’t see a couple of them down the far side until it was bit too late because of the low sun and he didn’t jump as well as he did at Punchestown, but he is just a class horse.”
He added: “Any horse can make a mistake and it certainly wouldn’t put me off running him at Cheltenham. But we’ll enjoy today first before we start to think about exactly which race we go for there.”
This was a point seconded by trainer Tom Taaffe, whose family name is already etched into this race’s history books both as jockey and trainer, thanks to his father Pat.
“We won’t decide about the Gold Cup until the first week in March,” he said.
“The plan was always for him to have a holiday now and that is what he will do.
“If it is good ground and Best Mate doesn’t look unbeatable then we might just have a shot at it, but if isn’t going to be right then we’ll look forward to running in the Daily Telegraph Chase (over two-and-a-half miles).
“Good ground is a huge plus for him and he didn’t look all that happy today on ground that was a bit sticky. But he’s only six, turning seven so, please God, the only way is up.”
“How he stood up at the last I don’t know and how Barry stayed on I don’t know, but he is a big strong horse, which helped him.”
Taaffe also revealed that Kicking King’s journey across the Irish Sea for the race had not gone to plan.
“I’m not saying it affected his performance as he seemed to eat up okay, but he did have a very rough crossing and looking at him before the race I thought he looked a bit weak behind the saddle,” he said.
“That will come in time though, and that is the most important thing to remember - he has his whole future ahead of him.”
Meanwhile, Father Christmas - or at least the man inside the costume - was in police custody last night.
