King kicks back into action at Gowran
The 2005 Festival hero, also twice successful in the King George, made his return at the same track in January after more than two years out through injury.
He ran again at Gowran in February but ended up being pulled-up in his final outing in the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup, although trainer Tom Taaffe subsequently revealed the horse had produced a dirty scope.
Taaffe’s only concerns now are about the going, explaining: “They are racing at Gowran on Friday and the ground would be quick enough.
“I just want it to be safe. The horse is in good form and we are looking forward to his first run of the season.
“I hope he’ll run a good race. He’s out early, but I would have looked at running in this sort of race in previous seasons if he had not been injured.”
Watson Lake is among the rivals in the two-and-a-half-mile Grade Two, but Noel Meade’s charge has been absent for more than 500 days.
Knight Legend, Conna Castle and Rathgar Beau are others to ensure a stiff level of competition.
