King team favour Mills test

Kicking King is more likely to continue on the comeback trail in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran on February 16 than in the Irish Hennessy next weekend.

The former Gold Cup winner delighted connections on his first run for 759 days in the Normans Grove Chase when he split Nickname at Newmill.

But trainer Tom Taaffe believes the Grade One at Leopardstown may come too soon for the 10-year-old.

“We are more than happy that he came back to run so well over two miles,” said Taaffe.

“I don’t think that at any stage of his career he had run so well over that trip.

“He was beaten by a very smart horse in Nickname and as I said at the time, it was all about getting match practice into him.

“He has come out of it great, thankfully, and we were delighted with the run - it is onwards and upwards.

“He’s had absolutely no problems since. He’s come out of it terribly well, better than I thought he would both physically and mentally.

“I need to have a chat to Conor Clarkson (owner) as I don’t know whether the Irish Hennessy is going to come a week to soon for a horse that has been off the track for two years.

“Coming back in just over two weeks is a tight schedule, whereas three and a half weeks makes a lot more sense so we may go for the Red Mills Chase.

“I’d be delighted if we can see the three of them (Kauto Star, Denman and Kicking King) all line up at Cheltenham.

“I can only train my own horse and it is a challenge I would really relish if we can get there.

“He’s a Gold Cup winner, been second in an Arkle and a Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

“He’s definitely a Gold Cup horse if he is back to his best,” Taaffe told At The Races.