Taaffe Poised To Unleash King Tom Taaffe has earmarked two possible starting points as stable star Kicking King continues his return from injury.The nine-year-old has not run since lifting the King George VI Chase nearly two years ago, but he is pleasing Taaffe as he builds towards a New Year return.'He's very good, he did a canter on Friday morning and he may well make his debut at Punchestown on New Year's Eve in a two-and-a-half-mile conditions hurdle,' he told At The Races.'If not, and probably more suitable, is the Kinloch Brae at Thurles on January 17. It would obviously suit him a lot better.'We're hoping to get a run out of the way then maybe roll into the Irish Hennessy or the Red Mills Chase and then on to March (Cheltenham).'Kicking King won the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2005 and is a 25-1 shot with the sponsors to regain his title this term.(C) PA Sport
