Taaffe happy with ground for King’s reappearance

KICKING KING is set to make his seasonal reappearance in the inaugural running of the Daily Star Listed Steeplechase at Punchestown next Thursday.

Last season’s Gold Cup hero will use the new race as a stepping stone on the million bonus trail.

Following a course walk at Punchestown yesterday, his trainer Tom Taaffe commented: “The Daily Star Chase at Punchestown is the ideal starting point for Kicking King. The ground is in great condition. We have had some rain and the forecast is for it to stay dry until Monday or Tuesday.

“There is just the right amount of time between this new race and Haydock.”

Next week's new Autumn opening meeting at Punchestown will also feature the Listed Diffusion Event Management Hurdle (€32,000), the Listed Total Events Rental Novice Steeplechase (€32,000) and the Listed Grabel Mares Hurdle (€30,000).

Meanwhile Kicking King , Aintree Grand National winner Hedgehunter and the locally owned Beef or Salmon head the entries for the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday November 5.