Geraghty: Roll On Haydock Barry Geraghty is looking forward to a big date at Haydock next month with Kicking King despite the gelding?s surprise defeat at Punchestown. Tom Taaffe?s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner suffered his first loss in five outings as War Of Attrition powered to a three-length victory in the Daily Star Chase on Thursday. The seven-year-old made a slight mistake at the second-last but jumped soundly throughout on what was his first outing after a 176-day absence. Geraghty insists Kicking King lost nothing in defeat and revealed Taaffe?s charge had come out of the race unscathed. Indeed, the Irish rider is already looking to the future and cannot wait to partner the Old Vic gelding in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 19. 'There were no problems after the race - he?s come out perfectly,' explained Geraghty. 'I was very happy with him and was very happy with the way he ran. He ran a good race and I?m sure he will improve for that next time. 'He jumped perfectly - almost as good as he can - but was probably lacking that bit of sharpness after quite a long lay-off. 'I know Tom was happy with him and it?s certainly not the end of the world losing when there are so many big races to come. 'It?s roll on Haydock now.' Taaffe added: 'He?s in super form, thank God. 'The race will have blown the cobwebs out of him and we will now prepare him for Haydock.' War Of Attrition was also given a clean bill of health after his exertions. His rider Conor O?Dwyer said: 'It was very impressive and I don?t think he could have done it any better. I was just able to give him a nice run around and he really enjoyed himself. 'I spoke to Mouse (Morris) and he said he?s come out of the race in great nick so that?s good. 'It was a nice race for me in that everyone was watching what Kicking King was doing so there was no pressure on at all. There was no major excuse for Kicking King because we won fair and square. 'We are not going to get on our high horse about it, though, because it?s still very early in the season and I?m sure Tom?s horse will improve - as will ours.'(C) PA Sport
