King Could Yet Make Comeback

Connections of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kicking King are 'cautiously optimistic' the horse will run again.

The nine-year-old lifted the Festival feature in 2005 but has been off the track since suffering a leg injury when winning the King George VI Chase later that year.

Although trainer Tom Taaffe had aimed to get him back last term, a further setback ruled him out.

But owner Conor Clarkson is still hopeful of a return and said: 'We are cautiously more optimistic than we were in December of last year.

'We are a little bit more optimistic now. The horse is walking out and it would be our intention, subject to a vet's examination towards the end of August, to consider putting him back into training.'

Clarkson reports Kicking King to have thrived while staying at Taaffe's Straffan base.

'He's done exceptionally well and he's been doing a small amount of walking and roadwork ? we're gradually, slowly, attempting to put him back into training,' he told At The Races.

'I truly love this horse and we will not, under any circumstances, take a flyer with him.

'Up to two or three months ago I would have been less optimistic, so there's a reasonable chance we will see him back on the racecourse and we will give him every chance to do so.'

(C) PA Sport