IRISH PREVIEW:LORD ADMIRAL will fly the Grade One flag for Charles O'Brien in Keeneland tonight but the changing of the seasons is underlined with the appearance of Kicking King in today's €50,000 highlight at Gowran Park.
The famous red and white colours of Vincent O'Brien will be carried by Lord Admiral in the €600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland where the veteran will be ridden by local jockey Jamie Theriot.
It is a Grade One race won by Landseer and Aussie Rules in recent years and the Irish hope will be joined by the Mark Johnston-trained, Royston French-ridden Lovelace.
Kicking King is entering the veteran stage himself but he can hark back to his glory years by beating seven opponents in the Champion Chase at Gowran. Tom Taaffe's star landed this prize four years ago at the start of his King George-Gold Cup-winning season and interestingly again faces the 2004 runner-up Rathgar Beau.
Kicking King's return after a 26-month lay-off petered out somewhat last season but Taaffe reports that the 10-year-old is in good shape.
The most valuable pot on offer at home this weekend is tomorrow's Group Three Coolmore Stud Concorde Stakes which can go to Psalm.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/5edb3a01-3854-414a-a4d1-6fd4b3f3ce92.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)