Kicking King to miss Gold Cup showdown

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Tom Taaffe's 10-year-old returned from a two-year absence with an encouraging second to Nickname at Gowran Park in January but disappointed when only third on a subsequent run last month.

Connections were still keen to have a crack at winning the Gold Cup for a second time after success in 2005 but they will now bypass Cheltenham after Kicking King failed to sparkle on the gallops early on Wednesday.

Owner Conor Clarkson said: "After a work-out this morning Tom Taaffe wasn't happy with his work. We've therefore no option but to say he will not be running in the Gold Cup."

Clarkson insists Kicking King will not be retired and will instead be primed for the Punchestown Gold Cup in April.

He added: "It has nothing to do with his retirement, just the quality of his work."

Kicking King, also a winner of the King George VI Chase in 2004 and 2005, was a 20-1 shot to regain his Gold Cup crown.

Meanwhile, jockey Graham Lee will also be an absentee at next week's Festival.

Lee has been out of action since fracturing his jaw when kicked after a fall at Huntingdon last month.

Paul Carberry has picked up the ride on Ferdy Murphy's Ryanair Chase contender L'Antartique.

Murphy said: "It's a big blow but as long as we can get him back, that's all we can hope for."