Racing: Tom Taaffe has earmarked two possible starting points as stable star Kicking King continues his return from injury.
The nine-year-old has not run since lifting the King George VI Chase nearly two years ago, but he is pleasing Taaffe as he builds towards a New Year return.
"He's very good, he did a canter this morning and he may well make his debut at Punchestown on New Year's Eve in a two-and-a-half-mile conditions hurdle," he told At The Races.
"If not, and probably more suitable, is the Kinloch Brae at Thurles on January 17th. It would obviously suit him a lot better.
"We're hoping to get a run out of the way then maybe roll into the Irish Hennessy or the Red Mills Chase and then on to March (Cheltenham)."
Kicking King won the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2005 and is a 25-1 shot with the sponsors to regain his title this term.
Justified will be back in action on Dusty Sheehy's gallops next week after recovering from a setback.
The eight-year-old finished second in the Grade One James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase early last month before running as if something was amiss when sent off favourite for the Clonmel Oil Chase.
Having had a little time off afterwards, Sheehy is now keen to kick on again with Justified and pinpoints the Red Mills Chase on February 16 as his potential next port of call.
Sheehy said: "Justified will go back into being ridden out on Monday morning.
"He tore ligaments in his hocks last time and we've just had to get that right. That's the reason why we think he was jumping so badly left in his last race, but he'll be back on Monday.
"He should have been taken out of the King George and he won't go there, but we have the Red Mills at Gowran in mind, although he might get another run before that."