King could return at Leopardstown

KICKING KING, the 2005 Gold Cup hero, is likely to be back in action before the end of the year.

Tom Taaffe’s eight year old landed last year’s King George but was unable to defend his crown in Cheltenham’s blue riband after sustaining a season-ending injury.

Taaffe has been delighted with his recent progress, however, and hopes his charge will arrive fighting fit at the Festival this time around.

The County Kildare handler anticipates saddling his charge for the first time since his King George victory at Leopardstown over Christmas.

“You’ll see him at Leopardstown over Christmas in a two-mile-one Grade One conditions chase,” he said yesterday.

“That’s the starting point and hopefully we can get him to Cheltenham later on.

“He’s super, thank God – absolutely super.

“He’s in good shape, fingers crossed, but every day is a good day when they come back from his injury.

“Although having said that, he does appear to be very well,” Taaffe told Racing UK.