By Frank Keogh
KICKING KING FACTFILE
Former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kicking King makes his long-awaited return at Gowran Park on Thursday.
The horse, trained by Tom Taaffe, has been out with a leg injury for 759 days since his second King George VI Chase victory at Kempton in December 2005.
"He's fine. We had to start him off somewhere, but he will lack a bit of match practice," Taaffe told BBC Sport.
Kicking King runs in the Grade Two Normans Grove Chase against talented rivals Nickname and Newmill.
The fixture at Gowran Park passed a precautionary inspection on Thursday morning, and the going at the course is described as heavy.
Kicking King is rated a top-priced 40-1 chance to regain his Gold Cup crown at Cheltenham on 14 March.
Despite his lengthy absence, the horse will not be appearing at a racecourse for the first time since his last run.
"He's had an away day or two just to help him a bit," said Taaffe.
If Kicking King lined up at the Festival, it would add extra spice to a contest which is already being much anticipated by punters, with 2007 winner Kauto Star set to clash with brilliant stablemate Denman for the first time.
606: DEBATE
Before 2008, the three previous Gold Cup winners - Best Mate, Kicking King and War of Attrition - had not been able to defend their crown because of injury.
Taaffe has carefully nursed his stable star back to the point where he could return, but will accept no plaudits for doing so.
"It's just part of the job, it's as simple as that," he said.
"We are happy at home that he retains the same level but he has to go and prove that on the racecourse."
Jockey Barry Geraghty said the "old fire was still there" when he rode him.
"I sat on him last Monday week and jumped three fences on him and there's plenty of life in him," he said.
If his return is satisfactory, Taaffe envisages giving Kicking King one more run before heading to Cheltenham in March.
He could line up in the Irish Hennessy or possibly more likely, the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park on 16 February.
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