Kauto trainer Nicholls impressed by Kicking King's comeback

Nicholls said he would be "chuffed" if Kicking King were his horse, having made most of the running until trying to demolish the second last fence when he was headed for the first time. It was his first race for 25 months.

Back in the old routine: Kicking King leading over the fourth last fence at Gowran Park yesterday

Nicholls said: "If he was mine I'd be absolutely delighted. Tom (Taaffe) has done a really good job getting him back and I suppose they'll want to get another race into him before the Gold Cup. His next run will tell a lot. I always think horses who have been off a long while are fitter these days because you can work them at home."

Coral slashed his Festival odds from 33-1 to 14-1 as news filtered through that Exotic Dancer, runner- up to Kauto Star last year, is out of the Letheby & Christopher Chase at Cheltenham tomorrow after pulling muscles in his hind quarters.

Kicking King, running over only two miles and a furlong, made all the running until his bad mistake at the second last but still had the strength to repel the former two-mile champion chaser Newmill, who finished third behind the hard-ridden Nickname.

A delighted Taaffe said: "He ran a cracker for his first run back. He was a bit rusty and short of match practice and you could see that two out and at the first ditch. It shows how good a horse he is to come back. He might return here for the Red Mills in three weeks. The Irish Hennessey is in 17 days but that might be on the tight side. After the Red Mills there is four and a half weeks to the Gold Cup."

Martin Brassill will aim Nickname at the Hennessy in a bid to win over three miles for the first time. He said: "That was a good performance giving 8lb to a Gold Cup winner. His ideal trip is two and a half miles but I am going to step him up for the Hennessy."

Exotic Dancer's injury, just seven weeks before the Gold Cup, is bad news for connections. Owner Robert Ogden's racing manager Barry Simpson said: "The vet is due to look at him tomorrow morning after which there will be a statement."

One horse who will definitely be missing from Cheltenham in March is Glencove Marina, second favourite for the Arkle Chase. He has had a setback and will miss the rest of the season.