Taaffe poised to unleash King

TOM Taaffe has earmarked two possible starting points as stable star Kicking King continues his return from injury.

The nine-year-old has not run since lifting the King George VI Chase nearly two years ago, but he is pleasing Taaffe as he builds towards a New Year return.

“He’s very good, he did a canter this morning and he may well make his debut at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve in a two-and-a-half-mile conditions hurdle,” he told At The Races.