Kings Hill claims Munster National glory
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sun 18 Oct 2026
Kings Hill provided father and son Paul and Danny Gilligan with a first success together in Ireland when running away with the BOYLE Sports JT McNamara Munster National at Limerick.
The seven-year-old looked to be getting the better of a two-horse battle with long-time leader Anyway in the Grade Three feature when his main rival took a crashing fall two fences from home.
Anyway’s exit after a brave attempt to make all under Darragh O’Keefe allowed 11-1 shot King’s Trail to coast home 10 lengths clear of Littlefoot in the hands of Danny Gilligan, who only arrived back from Far Hills on Sunday morning after finishing third in the American Grand National on Gordon Elliott’s Zanahiyr.
Kings Hill and Danny Gilligan won the Munster National by ten lengths on Sunday. (Pic: Healy Racing)
The trainer said: “Danny was in America last night so fair play to him. People might think it is great flying out to ride a horse, but it is a big commitment.
“Any race is good to win but when you’re winning these races it is always better when your own lads are riding these winners. It is extra special.”
While Anyway’s rider escaped unscathed, the eight-year-old who finished second to Caldwell Potter at the Cheltenham Festival last year was fatally injured.
“It was not a nice way to win with Anyway falling,” Gilligan added.
“But it is good for Paul Lyons, Kings Hill’s co-owner who is in Cyprus today, it’s important for the breeder Jimmy Lawler, from Kilkenny, and we bought the horse from Tony Costello.
“For small yard like ours, it is not easy to find these horses but we have good supporters in the yard, so I’m delighted.”
Gilligan trained Kings Hill to win the valuable Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase at the Festival in late July before a disappointing run in the Kerry National at Listowel.
After observing that the gelding fares better going right-handed, the trainer is planning a return to Ballybrit for the big one next summer.
He said: “My dream would be to win a Galway Plate, so we’ll look at that next year.
“I thought we shouldn’t have gone to Listowel as it is a different track to Galway, where he had previously won, but he won well today.”
Related posts
Lordan rides six winners for Aidan O'Brien at Leopardstown
Champions Day: watch how it unfolded and data nuggets
Sunday tips: Angus McNae has four fancies
Title race: O’Brien leads Balding but all to play for
Ruby Walsh: Five key talking points for the 2026-27 Jumps season
Todays top offer
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets + Money Back as a Free Bet if 2nd to SP Fav with BOYLE Sports
T&Cs Apply
18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&C's apply. 18+. IRE/NI & UK online only. Max Free Bet £/€10. Win or win part of e/w outright singles. 5+ runners. 1st bet on each race. Free/void/antepost bets don't qualify. In event of a dead heat, offer won’t apply. Applies to First Past the Post result. Unnamed 2nd Favs don’t qualify. Acc & Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.
Claim Now
Featured offers
Bet £10 get £40 in free bets with Kwiff
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New UK customers. Place a £10 real money bet at min. 2.0 odds within 5 days of deposit. Get 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 Single, 2 Accas & 1 Bet Builder (min. 3 selections each). Excludes cashout, E/W, Multis, Ineligible Markets & Odds Boosts. Credited after bet settlement. 7-day expiry. T&Cs apply. 18+ GambleAware
Bet £20 and Get £40 in Free Bets with Unibet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
18+. GambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £20 debit card or instant banking transfer deposit. Place a £20+ bet on Horse Racing at min odds 2/5 (1.4) each leg for 4x £10 Free Bets (can be used on Racing Bet Builder). Claim within 30 days. Valid for Horse Racing only. Geographical restrictions and Further T&C’s apply
Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets with talkSPORT BET
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New Customers. Opt in, deposit and bet £10+ on any horse racing markets within 7 days of sign up. Get 3 x £10 Free Bets for set horse racing markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ GambleAware
Get 50% back up to £50 with QuinnBet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New UK Customers Only. Bet £10+ on any sportsbook markets at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. Get 50% back of your first day’s losses as a Free Bet up to £50, valid for 7 days. 18+ GambleAware.
Copyright 2026 Racing TV - All Rights Reserved.
Please bet responsibly
Copyright 2026. All rights reserved