Taafe anticipates speedy King return

Tom Taaffe expects Kicking King to make a quick recovery from the foot injury he sustained in the betfair Chase at Haydock last Saturday.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup winner suffered a shock reverse in the Grade One feature when he finished a well-beaten third behind Kingscliff.

It later transpired two nails from his shoe had pierced his hoof wall during the race and Taaffe reports him to be “very sore” on his left hind leg.

However, the trainer expects the problem to clear up in the next seven to 10 days and the Stan James King George VI Chase is still on the agenda for Kicking King.

Taaffe told the Racing Post: “We had our vet examine Kicking King on Sunday morning and the horse is very sore behind. We have no doubt that spreading his shoe contributed to his disappointing performance.

“He ran a lot flatter that we expected and immediately after the race I was feeling quite down about things. But we have an answer now and it will probably take a week to 10 days to get the problem sorted out.

“When we do it will be all systems go for Kempton and the King George VI Chase.”

Kicking King is the 2-1 favourite with Ladbrokes for the Boxing Day race while Kingscliff is next best at 3-1.