Kicking Misses Chance To Regain His Crown Kicking King the brilliant winner of the 2005 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup has been ruled out for the season. Tom Taafe's stable star suffered a recurrence of the tendon injury that kept him off the track for 2006. The classy eight-year-old was an 8-1 shot with William Hill for this year's totesport Gold Cup. Taafe told the press this afternoon that he'll assess the Gold Cup winners future later in the summer.Following news of the injury to Kicking King, bookmakers William Hill make Kauto Star their 9-4 for the Cheltenham showpiece, while last years winner War Of Attrition is available at 7-2 for the March contest.William Hill's Irish spokesman Tony Kenny commented 'It's another blow to the Irish chasing ranks following the sad loss of Missed That earlier in the season' He Continued 'In the absence of Kicking King, War of Attrition now looks like our only serious threat to Paul Nicholls superstar Kauto Star in this seasons Gold Cup'Totesport Gold Cup: 9-4 Kauto Star, 7-2 War Of Attrition, 8-1 Kicking King, 12-1 Star De Mohaison, 14-1 Monets Garden, State Of Play, 16-1 Racing Demon, 20-1 Hedgehunter, Our Vic, 25-1 Forget The Past, L´Ami, 33-1 Beef Or Salmon, Justified, Monkerhostin, Neptune Collongues, The Listener, 40-1 Southern Vic, 50-1 Our Ben, 66-1 Cornish Rebel, Kingscliff
