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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Kings lands the odds for Gilligan

Tue 13th Feb 2024, 15:43

Kings Hill and Jack Gilligan Kings Hill and Jack Gilligan
© Photo Healy Racing

Kings Hill landed the odds in the second division of the maiden hurdle at Thurles with a convincing success.

The Paul Gilligan-trained gelding had been a fine fourth at Leopardstown over Christmas and went to post a 4/7 shot in today's race, run over just shy of two miles.

Jack Gilligan sent the Kingston Hill gelding to the front turning for home and he stuck on well from the back of the last to record a three-and-a-quarter length success over Crooked Tannie

"It didn't look the strongest race but that is always the worst race to watch! Off his Leopardstown run you'd have to say he'd win,” said Gilligan.

"I have him entered up plenty since Leopardstown but was just waiting for nice ground and today's wasn't his ideal ground. He is a lovely honest horse and this is grand to get out of the way.

"Of course we would love to go to Cheltenham and the Supreme Novices is a month today, although today's performance wasn't good enough to win a Supreme. I wouldn't chance running him before it though.

"Tony Costello (consignor) mentioned him to me in Doncaster and in fairness to Paul Lyons, living in London, and Tom Quinn they bought him between them."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.