King loses Attrition battle

Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Kicking King suffered a shock defeat on his reappearance as War Of Attrition powered to victory in the Daily Star Chase at Punchestown.

Tom Taaffe’s seven-year-old, sent off the 30-100 favourite, travelled well throughout the two-mile-six-furlong contest under Barry Geraghty but could not match the winner’s telling burst of pace two fences from home.

Mouse Morris’ charge stayed on strongly to hold Kicking King by three lengths, while Pizarro was a further short head away in third.

War Of Attrition was settled at the rear of the field for most of the Listed contest as Strong Project took them along at a sensible pace.

A decent leap at the sixth fence from home saw Kicking King take over at the head of affairs but Ruby Walsh covered the move and had Pizarro alongside with three obstacles remaining.

War Of Attrition slowly reeled in his rivals, however, and arrived on the scene two from home to set up a grandstand finish.

Pizarro’s chance went with a wayward jump at the second-last, while Geraghty’s partner also made a slight mistake to hand the advantage to War Of Attrition.

The 2004 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle runner-up showed no mercy and scooted home to win at odds of 7-1.