Kicking King thrills Punchestown crowd Kicking King did what his trainer suggested, 'a progressive Gold Cup winner should do,' by sailing to victory in the featured Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup this afternoon.Few could argue with Tom Taaffe's description when he said the three length success of his charge was one of 'pure class.' Barry Geraghty tracked the leaders in fourth, moved a close second six out, his superb jumping took him into the lead four out and the Old Vic seven-year-old drew clear from the next to win un-extended from the game but not as fluent-jumping, Rule Supreme. There was fifteen lengths back to the third, Pizarro with Kingscliff (made a bad mistake three out), a disappointing distant fourth.Taaffe commented that he was more nervous coming into this event than any other as he wanted the horse to be out on grass for a deserved break. That will come now and Gowran in October for the two and a half mile contest that he landed last year, is on the agenda at present. The plan of assault for the rest of the campaign will be made after that seasonal bow.
