Taaffe plans Kicking King return

Kicking King lands Gold Cup

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kicking King will return to action next month, with trainer Tom Taaffe considering possible races at Gowran Park and Punchestown.

The seven-year-old won five of his six starts last season with the highlight coming at Cheltenham in March.

He could return in the National Lottery Agent Champion Chase at Gowran Park on 8 October, a race he won last year.

But if the ground is not suitable, the next target would be a conditions chase at Punchestown on 20 October.

He is set to take on triple Gold Cup winner Best Mate for the first time in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on 19 November.

"He will have one prep run before Haydock but he will be entered in the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal and options will be kept open for unforeseen circumstances, such as the weather," said Taaffe.

Kicking King's only defeat came at the Northern Ireland track when he was beaten by Beef Or Salmon in last year's race.

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"We will cross all of the bridges as we come to them but, hopefully, he will come home after Haydock and have a bit of a break and then he'll go back to Sandown for the King George," said Taaffe.

"I will give him a proper break after that and get him prepared for March."

Kicking King is as low as 2-1 to land back-to-back wins in the blue riband event with his trainer happy at the way the gelding is progressing.

"I am very happy with the way he has gone and he seems very well," the trainer added.