Kicking King back in the picture

Kicking King could be back in the Cheltenham Gold Cup picture after his trainer Tom Taaffe yesterday suggested that the King George VI Chase hero might make the festival after all.

The star chaser was initially ruled out of the big race last week when scoping badly after a pre-festival gallop. Taaffe's immediate reaction was to rule Kicking King out of Cheltenham and wait for Punchestown instead.

However, some noticeable activity on the internet exchanges yesterday triggered hopes that the horse may yet make Cheltenham.

Taaffe was unable to confirm or deny such speculation and instead said he will make a statement tomorrow.

Significantly, however, he did add: "The wheels are back on the wagon."

Before Kicking King's gallop last week interest had been mainly on which Cheltenham option he would take up. As well as the Gold Cup, the horse also has entries in the Daily Telegraph Chase and the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Bookmakers have been quick to reinstate Kicking King into the Gold Cup market and Coral go 7 to 1 about his chances in the blue riband.

Taaffe added: "I have no control over the betting market. Their job is speculation, mine is to deal with the situation I have in hand. The horse didn't work as well as I thought he would a week ago. I can't really say any more at the present moment other than that, but he certainly appears to have been much brighter in himself since."

With the start of the Festival exactly a week away, most firms are now going non-runner, no-bet.