King Ready For Grove Return

Tom Taaffe hopes a spin at Fairyhouse this weekend will help Kicking King get back in the swing of racing as he prepares for another crack at the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

After winning the blue riband event in 2005, the 10-year-old won twice more at Grade One level but has been absent since landing the King George VI Chase over two years ago.

Taaffe has gradually nursed Kicking King back to health and is now looking forward to taking the wraps off him in the Grade Two Normans Grove Chase on Sunday.

Taaffe said: 'He's not run for two years so Sunday will be all about getting the rustiness out of him and getting some match practice again.

'He's fit and well and we'll hope he runs a good race but he's obviously lacking a bit of practice.

'We'll get it out of the way over two miles, which should sharpen him up, and bring out a better horse again the next day.

'I want to try to get him to a Gold Cup and if we can, I want to get him there in the best possible shape we can so this is a stepping stone towards that.'

Providing things go to plan this weekend, Taaffe envisages giving Kicking King one more run before heading to Cheltenham in March.

'Ideally, I'd probably like to come back for the Irish Hennessy (Leopardstown, February 10), but if it is going to be very heavy I might have a rethink on that,' he told At The Races.

'I might sooner go to Gowran for the Red Mills Chase over two and a half miles.'

(C) PA Sport