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)
