King reported in grand order

Tom Taaffe believes his former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kicking King is back in tip-top shape for tomorrow's Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup.

The 10-year-old returned from a 759-day lay-off earlier in the season to run a blinder at Gowran Park when finishing second to Nickname.

Hopes were high that Conor Clarkson's gelding had retained all his old ability, however he was decidedly lacklustre on his next start in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran a month later.

Taaffe decided against taking his charge to Cheltenham in a bid to regain his crown as he believed he was not giving the right signals but that doubt has now evaporated as he looks to win the Punchestown Grade One event for a second time.

'We are very happy with him, he's showing us all his old sparkle again,' reported Taaffe.

'We just couldn't get the sparkle in time for Cheltenham, I probably just tried to cram a bit too much into him after his comeback and it didn't happen.

'He's giving us all the right vibes now though and I'm very much looking forward to running him.'

Beef Or Salmon is set to retire after this race which the 12-year-old won in 2004 for one of his 10 Grade One victories.

'He's in good form but he could do with a drop of rain,' said trainer Michael Hourigan.

'I'd hope he could sign off with a good show. The County Limerick-based handler has a strong hand as he also saddles Mossbank and Hi Cloy.

The latter was third to War Of Attrition in this race two years ago when Beef Or Salmon was second. He completed the course in the Grand National on his latest start when 11th behind Comply Or Die.

'He has come out of the National in good form and this will be his last run of the season,' he added.

Mossbank had Beef Or Salmon back in fourth when runner-up to Denman in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown in December.

I have no doubts about him getting the trip. He got it OK in the Lexus when he was second to Denman and he was also second in Cheltenham to Our Vic,' Hourigan added.