All systems go for King
Tom Taaffe is more than satisfied with conditions at Punchestown ahead of Kicking King’s scheduled reappearance next Thursday.
The seven-year-old is due to begin the defence of his totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup crown in the inaugural running of the Listed Daily Star Chase.
Taaffe is planning to use the Punchestown event as a stepping stone to the Betfair Chase at Haydock and a possible £1m (€1.5m) bonus if he can follow up in the King George VI Chase and Gold Cup.
“I’ve walked the track and it’s in great condition,” Taaffe said. “The ground is currently good-to-yielding there.
“We have had some rain over here and the forecast is for it to stay dry until Monday or Tuesday.
"The ground is in perfect condition and everything is good with the horse.
“There is just the right amount of time between this new race and Haydock.”
Kicking King could clash with triple Gold Cup winner Best Mate at Haydock, as well as last season’s Cheltenham runner-up Take The Stand and Beef Or Salmon.
