Gold Cup hero King back soon

Tom Taaffe is weighing up the options for Kicking King as the 2005 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero prepares to return to the track.

After winning the King George VI Chase at Kempton in December of his Gold Cup year, the 10-year-old suffered a tendon injury which kept him out of action for over two years.

He appeared to retain all of his old zest when second on his comeback in January earlier this year, but he disappointed on his next two starts, including when pulling up in the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup.

“He has come back into work in grand old form and I’m very pleased with him,” said Taaffe.

“He scoped dirty after his last run at Punchestown so at least there was an excuse for that run and he should be back on a racecourse soon.

“There is a race at Gowran on October 4 we are looking at and maybe a race at Punchestown on the 15th so he will probably run in one of those.

“As I say he is doing well at home but we will know more when we get him back on the racecourse.”