Kingscliff All Set To Take On Kempton Conqueror Kicking King

Kingscliff, who has not raced since being a fast-finishing second to Kicking King in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on December 26, was today confirmed a definite starter to take on the same rival in the feature EUR225,000 Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup next Wednesday (April 27) at Punchestown´s Irish National Hunt Festival.

Kicking King went on to complete a rare double in last month´s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, from which Kingscliff was withdrawn by trainer Robert Alner at the last minute following a disappointing final gallop.

'Kicking King is the best horse results wise and we have every respect for him but we´re looking forward to next week,' said Alner.

'We felt perhaps in the King George that if the race had been at Cheltenham and a bit longer we would have had a chance. Kempton´s a very flat, fast track and our horse was running on at the end although having said that Kicking King made a horrendous blunder at the last.'

The King George VI Chase was Kingscliff´s only start of the season and a visit to Punchestown has always been the plan.

'We´ll hopefully give Kicking King a good run for his money and our horse has had no racing this season,' added Alner. 'The owner has always had an ambition to have a horse good enough to take over to Punchestown and I think he has now so we´ll give it a go. We´ll have a bit of craic whatever.'

Trainer Tom Taaffe reported that Kicking King, who has won three times previously at Punchestown, is on target for the Guinness Gold Cup. 'Next week is very much the plan. I couldn´t be happier with the horse and am looking forward to the race,' said Taaffe today.

Meanwhile trainer Willie Mullins has not ruled out a return to fences in the contest for Rule Supreme, who landed the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February before his last two outings when third in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham and most recently being brought down at Aintree.

The nine-year-old would otherwise go for the Grade 1 Ballymore Properties Champion Stayers´ Hurdle at Punchestown on Thursday, April 28, and Mullins said today: 'We won´t make a decision until very near the day as to which race he goes for. He´ll be confirmed in both races when we see the way they are shaping up. The ground would be another big factor in our decision as well.'

First Gold, who landed the Guinness Gold Cup in 2003, is expected to represent French trainer Francois Doumen in the race.

There is record prize money of EUR2,127,000 at this year´s Irish National Hunt Festival which takes place from Tuesday to Friday next week, April 26 to 29.