PUNCHESTOWN PREVIEW:IRELAND'S LAST two Cheltenham Gold Cup winners, War Of Attrition and Kicking King, provide a midweek treat in today's Punchestown feature, and Kicking King can even an old score with his famous rival.
It is three years since the only previous clash between the blue-riband winners, when they raced in the 2005 version of today's Star Chase.
On that occasion Kicking King was the Gold Cup holder, and on his way to a second King George triumph, but he came up three lengths short against his younger opponent.
It didn't look a bad performance by the end of that season as War Of Attrition progressed to his own Gold Cup victory, but today will be the first time we have seen the Michael O'Leary-owned star in 659 days.
Just four line up for the Grade Three feature. War Of Attrition will be ridden by Davy Russell for the first time.
His trainer, Mouse Morris, said yesterday: "Davy has been schooling him and knows him well enough. He has been off a long time and if he finishes in the first four I'll be happy!"
Kicking King returned from an even longer absence due to injury last term, but his seasonal debut at Gowran earlier this month ended with an early fall.
Trainer Tom Taaffe reported yesterday: "These four-runner races can be tricky affairs and the going will be heavy . . . I think he is fit enough and I just want him to run a proper race."
Watson Lake has to concede 8lb to both his rivals, so in the circumstances Kicking King's fitness could prove crucial.
The day's other Grade Three pot is the Buck House Novice Chase which sees Trafford Lad put straight into black type company for his fencing debut under Ruby Walsh.
Last season's Ballymore Properties Hurdle third is a Grade One winner over flights, and trainer Dusty Sheehy has issued an upbeat bulletin on the giant gelding.
"He is plenty enough to do himself justice," he said.
"He has developed very well and is more of a man now. Ruby has been doing all the schooling on him and he has been very good."
Made In Taipan is rated to win the Listed hurdle but might prefer to go left-handed, so a better bet in the Listed mares race could be the progressive Oscar Rebel.
Edward Harty won the opening maiden hurdle with Captain Cee Bee last year and gives the smart flat horse Baron De'l a first start over jumps today.
• St Leger winner Conduit has been given the green light to contest the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita on October 25th.
