Cheltenham countdown - news digest

Former Gold Cup winner tires on second start since comeback

Kicking King ran in the Grade Two Red Mills Chase over 2m 4f at Gowran Park on Saturday, his second start since returning from injury, but was well beaten in third behind 33-1 shot Ballistraw, with long time leader Knight Legend second.

Knight Legend set a decent pace in front with Kicking King jumping well in the early stages. Barry Geraghty brought him into te race, but he tired as Knight Legend went further clear. In the straight, Andrew McNamara eased alongside on Ballistraw before going clear to a cosy win on the Denis Hickey bred, owned and trained nine-year-old.

Whilst many bookmakers have removed Kicking King from the Gold Cup betting, trainer Tom Taaffe said: "Obviously I'd have been much happier if he'd have won. If he's still fine in the next couple of days it's still onwards for the Gold Cup.

"There'll be no pressure now going into the Gold Cup. I always said from day one I was training him for one day and I still am."