King In Grand Order Kicking King is reported to be in 'super' form by trainer Tom Taaffe following his excellent comeback run at Gowran Park.The 2005 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero was only beaten a length and a quarter by a match-fit Nickname in the Normans Grove Chase after trying to make all the running.The 10-year-old had been sidelined with a tendon injury since recording back-to-back victories in the King George VI Chase in December 2005.'He's super, thank God. He's come out of the race with no problems,' said Taaffe.'We were happy with him. It was a good performance.'A return to Gowran for the Red Mills Chase on February 16 or the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown six days earlier is now on the cards for Kicking King, before he tries to regain his Gold Cup crown on March 14 ? a race for which he is a best-priced 16-1.'He'll go for the Hennessy or the Red Mills. We'll decide in about 10 days' time,' confirmed Straffan-based Taaffe.(C) PA Sport
