Trainer Jimmy Mangan has emphasised that ground conditions will dictate Spillane’s Tower’s potential Christmas engagements, with the talented chaser only set to run if there is sufficient ease in the going.
Frank Berry, racing manager for owner JP McManus, has hinted at the possibility of supplementing Spillane’s Tower for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton. This follows an impressive second-place finish behind stablemate Fact To File in the John Durkan Memorial Chase. Both horses are entered for the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, but McManus's connections are keen to avoid a clash.
Mangan, speaking on the Nick Luck Daily Podcast, expressed confidence in the horse’s form but highlighted the importance of suitable conditions:
“He’s been in great form. We’re very happy with him, and it’s all going well for Christmas, provided the rain comes. If I saw the word ‘good’ in the going, I would be worried. I think the race will suit him, and Kempton would suit him as well.”
Spillane’s Tower, who secured Grade One victories at Fairyhouse and Punchestown as a novice last season, demonstrated his class and professionalism in the John Durkan despite an interrupted preparation. Mangan attributed this performance to the experience gained during his novice campaign.
“He did get lots of experience last year, and it stood to him in the John Durkan. He was very professional, even though he was only about 90 percent fit. The ground has been too hard to train him on grass, so we had to rely on the all-weather gallop.”
While Spillane’s Tower is a 3-1 favourite for the King George, with Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning next in the market at 7-2, Mangan reiterated the team’s commitment to prioritising the horse’s welfare.
“I’ll be in touch with Frank and JP, but if the ground at Kempton or Leopardstown is on the tight side, he’ll probably stay in his stable,” he concluded.