Kings Hill gives Gilligan a third win in the 'Blazers'

Kings Hill was a popular and well-supported winner of the Galway Blazers Handicap Chase over two miles, six furlongs in the hands of J.J. Slevin. 

Backed from 17/2 into 5/1 favourite before the off, the first-time blinkered grey moved through to lead travelling well on the run to the final two fences. Turning for home a few lengths clear, he saw his race out well to beat A Penny A Hundred by three and three-quarter lengths.

Owned by the PNT Partnership, the seven-year-old was second in the Connacht National at Roscommon in early June before warming up for this with a spin on the Flat at Ballinrobe last week.

"On home soil, it's lovely to win here," said winning trainer Paul Gilligan.

"This race has been good to us, it's the third time we have won it. We hunted with the Blazers as we grew up. My kids hunted with the Blazers. They are all involved at home, and it's a credit to them really. My name is only on the licence, it's a real team effort. 

"I'd love to think he would have been a Galway Plate horse. We might look at that next year. He's very versatile ground-wise.

"I've probably had this in mind since Jack (Gilligan, son) won on him in Limerick. It was all about today and we'll see from here. It means an awful lot to us. We drew a blank here last year, and you'd be like a briar when you go home. 

"I would say we'll work back from the Galway Plate next year. Horses for courses. He's a course and distance winner now, so we'll strongly consider it."

Based near Athenry, Gilligan's previous winners of this historic contest were Wellforth (2012) and Born By The Sea (2021).  

Additional reporting by John O'Riordan