Kicking King out of Gold Cup

Kicking King has been ruled out of the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup after straining a tendon.

Trainer Tom Taaffe announced the eight-year-old will not bid to repeat his success of last year in the Festival showpiece after suffering the setback.

He said: “He has strained his tendon and on veterinary advice, myself and his owner Conor Clarkson have decided the horse will not run in the Gold Cup.”

Kicking King was last seen bouncing back to his brilliant best in the Stan James King George VI Chase at Sandown on Boxing Day.

After disappointing at Haydock in the Betfair Chase, Taaffe’s charge returned to winning ways to beat Monkerhostin by a neck and land back-to-back wins in the mid-season championship.

Kicking King had been the 7-4 favourite with both William Hill and Ladbrokes to take his second Gold Cup.

Kicking King was ruled out of last year's Gold Cup at one stage after scoping dirty.

Taaffe announced he would miss the Festival less than three weeks before the race, but the Old Vic gelding recovered in time to take his chance and a new star was born.