RACING: Relief coursed from Kildare to Buenos Aries after Kicking King got his Cheltenham ambitions back on track at Punchestown yesterday.
The 2 to 7 favourite beat his four opponents by a distance in the novice chase, jumped well in doing so and had trainer Tom Taaffe on the phone to owner Conor Clarkson immediately afterwards.
"He pissed up," was Taaffe's succinct and comforting report to the Dublin businessman who was anxiously waiting in a hotel room at the other side of the world. "You can stop box-walking!"
Taaffe added: "Conor is in Argentina and was on a computer when the off came. He said he wasn't going to watch the race by computer and so he was in his hotel bedroom pacing up and down."
If he had looked, the pace might have dropped off because the Arkle hope was never off the bridle after taking up the running from Houdunnit at the sixth. A flamboyant leap at the last banished any memories of his fall in the Denny, and Ladbrokes saw enough to cut Kicking King to 10 to 1 third favourite for Cheltenham.
"The plan remains the same. The Arkle at Leopardstown, the Arkle at Cheltenham and then maybe back here with the Power Gold Cup an option too," Taaffe said.
"A fall isn't the worst thing in the world sometimes and he did everything well there," he added. "He was brave at the ditch at the bottom of the hill and I think he has more speed now he has grown into his frame. Even in front he wanted to keep going, attacking the fences, and the pace at Cheltenham should suit."
Geraghty was equally impressed: "He was very, very good. He wanted to go long at the last so I let him."
Taaffe's anxiety about a long odds-on favourite seemed justified after the first race when the 1 to 3 Tiger Cry could finish only runner-up to Walk Over. It was hardly a form boost for the Pierse Hurdle hope Arch Stanton, who had beaten Tiger Cry at Leopardstown, but it did prove the well being of Francis Flood's horses, and he runs Georges Girl in Sunday's big handicap.
"Some of mine were coughing around Christmas but Georges Girl seems alright," reported Flood, who was training his first winner for JP McManus. "It's the first for the team!" grinned Flood, who picked out Walk Over at the Derby Sales. "He couldn't handle the ground at Gowran the last day. It was a real bog."
Walk Over's apparent improvement in form resulted in a stewards' inquiry, who "noted" Flood's explanation about the going and the drop in trip.
Life Begins was a drifting favourite for the maiden hurdle, and sure enough it was Biras Creek, nibbled at from 16 to 1 to 14 to 1, who won out on just her second start. Bred out of an English Cesarewitch winner, Biras Creek's only other start was on the flat at Sandown in 2002, but she had more than enough to provide her 23-year-old rider Alan Fagan with a fourth success.
"It's not a complete surprise. Whatever about winning, I thought she'd be in the first four," said trainer John Fowler.
The leading flat rider, Seamus Heffernan, rode his second winner over flights this season as Supergood won out by six lengths in the handicap hurdle. Back in third was the favourite, American Duchess, who Heffernan rode to victory at Limerick over Christmas.
The finish of the day came in the Beginners Chase as Harithabad edged out Pelican Brief by a head with the favourite Jack High a head further back in third.
Watts Hill momentarily looked like letting Over Alainn back with a chance in the bumper, but Derek O'Connor ultimately pushed the favourite clear.
