Kicking King Retired!The 2005 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kicking King has been retired. The ten year old suffered a serious tendon injury during the early part of the 2005 2006 season, and then had over two years on the sidelines before returning to action last year. But owner Conor Clarkson yesterday admitted he had never recaptured his old form, and the decision has been made to retire the two time King George winner with immediate effect. Trainer Tom Taaffe yesterday paid respect to his stable star, but lamented the fact he had never recaptured the kind of form which would have seriously challenged the current dominance of Denman and Kauto Star. Scoop Six Record Saturday - But A Wish.Unless you have been somehow living on the moon - and then again , probably there too - you will know, tomorrow represents a record day for the Totesport Scoop Six. It is quite possible the combined Win Fund Dividend and Bonus Fund could top the four million pound mark, and with smaller fields in prospect, it is likely the Win Fund Dividend will be won by someone tomorrow. But it is the potential someone that bothers me! If the pot is won outright by a large syndicate involving the 'investment' of hundreds of thousands of pounds, it will not do the same for horse racing and the gaming industry as a win for one or more individuals. Not that I am against syndicates - Good luck to them say I! But nothing gives better press to the whole racing industry than Joe or Janet Public picking up a very large cheque in front of the gathered press. So what is the solution? Well, without wishing to market for Totesport, if we all take a line or two on the Scoop Six tomorrow, we will increase the chances it will be one or more individuals who will end up winning the big pot - and that will be good for everyone! Henderson happy to step stable stars up in trip.Nicky Henderson is confident Chomba Womba will get every yard of Saturday's extended two mile three furlongs Coral Hurdle at Ascot. Although she recently won over two miles in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton, the Sevenbarrows handler has put on record, "Stamina will not be a problem". In addition, Henderson was also looking to put impressive Cheltenham novice hurdle winner Punchestown over a longer trip in his next race. Speaking yesterday, the trainer said, "I was suprised at how easily he got two miles five furlongs at Cheltenham in soft going. He was a big baby last year, and I thought we would give him a gentle start to the current campaign, but based on his Cheltenham performance, we will probably step him up to three miles for his next outing". Having already won over two miles five, a potential win over three miles in good novice company would then give Henderson the luxury of selecting a suitable target for his novice at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Harbour to face larger obstacles.After three races over hurdles, including a recent win at Clonmel, Tom Mullins is looking forward to Chelsea Harbour's return to steeplechasing in this Sunday's William Hill Troytown Chase at Navan. The gelding has not run over fences since he was pulled up at the Punchestown Festival in April, but the trainer has had him schooling over the larger obstacles this week, and is very happy with what he has seen. With Davy Russell having been snapped up by Paul Nicholls to ride the current anti post favourite Officier de Reserve, Mullins is now on the look-out for a top class jockey to accompany Chelsea Harbour on his return to steeplechasing.
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