By Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Punchestown |
He saw off Irish Hennessy winner Rule Supreme and contenders including King George runner-up Kingscliff to comfortably land the Guinness Gold Cup.
Trainer Tom Taaffe confirmed afterwards that his hero would be aimed at a repeat Cheltenham Gold Cup win in 2006.
And observers highlighted the big potential of the seven-year-old horse.
Former top jockey Norman Williamson, who won the Cheltenham blue riband on Master Oats in 1995, was among those watching on in the winner's enclosure.
Williamson told BBC Sport: "He's the best I've seen in Ireland for a long time - he's got everything.
"I'd say he improved from Cheltenham. It's a funny thing to say, but the Gold Cup probably left him right."
Taaffe plans to give the horse a six-month break after a thrilling campaign which netted four Grade One wins.
He is likely to reappear at Gowran Park in October for a campaign which will included the defence of his King George VI Chase title when the race is run at Sandown in December.
And the trainer said "a number of carrots" has been dangled in front of the team responsible for racing's hot property.
It is thought the new �150,000 Betfair Chase at Haydock in November, and a possible showdown with triple Gold Cup winner Best Mate, could be one option.
 |  The horse has given us so much, it will be lovely to give him a summer's break |
Kicking King is a general 2-1 chance to retain the Cheltenham title in March 2006, while Best Mate is as big as 8-1. Best Mate won the Gold Cup in 2002, 2003 and 2004, but was ruled out of this year's race after bursting a blood vessel on the gallops.
"A lot of people are going round saying Best Mate wouldn't get near Kicking King now, but Kicking King might not have got near Best Mate three years ago," added Williamson.
Kicking King was the first reigning Gold Cup winner since Dawn Run in 1986 to appear at Punchestown just weeks after triumphing at Cheltenham.
Racecourse manager Richie Galway said: "We've seen Dawn Run, Istabraq and Moscow Flyer in some great races here.
"But that win would have to be up there with anything we've had.
"The crowd was up by 1,400 on last year to 20,162. In this country, they turn out for good horses like that."
MMIX
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