Six take on King at Punchestown

Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Kicking King will face six rivals in the Daily Star Chase at Punchestown tomorrow.

Tom Taaffe’s seven-year-old will start the defence of his Festival crown in the Listed event over two miles and six furlongs.

Kicking King was a five-length winner of the Gold Cup, notching his third win on the bounce after also taking the King George VI Chase at Kempton and the Grade One John Durkan Chase last December.

The Old Vic gelding was last seen when winning the Guinness Gold Cup at the Punchestown Festival in April.

Mouse Morris’ War Of Attrition was also on the mark at that meeting and the 2004 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle runner-up will be looking to build on his win in the Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase on his first step up to full company.

Hi Cloy, Pizarro, Splendour and the Charlie Swan-trained Strong Project complete the field.