Connections of Spillane’s Tower will wait until Friday morning to decide whether to supplement the talented chaser for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase.
Jimmy Mangan’s stable star, a 4-1 second favourite with the race sponsors, was runner-up to fellow JP McManus-owned Fact To File in the John Durkan at Punchestown. A dual Grade One winner as a novice over fences last season, Spillane’s Tower is a key contender for the Boxing Day showpiece at Kempton Park. However, the McManus team prefers softer ground before committing to the £4,600 supplementary fee.
McManus will have representation regardless, as the Emmet Mullins-trained Corbetts Cross is confirmed as an intended runner.
“Corbetts Cross is on course, and we’ll check the ground in the morning for Spillane’s Tower,” said Frank Berry, racing manager for McManus, on Thursday. “If it’s soft, he’ll probably be supplemented. We’ll make the final call in the morning.”
Kempton’s going was reported as good to soft, good in places on Thursday afternoon, after three millimetres of overnight rain. Showers are forecast daily until Monday, but Christmas Day and Boxing Day are expected to be mild and dry.
McManus boasts a strong roster in the staying chase division this season, with Fact To File currently the ante-post favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. At Kempton, Corbetts Cross and possibly Spillane’s Tower will represent the owner, while Fact To File is likely to clash with Galopin Des Champs in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown next Saturday.
The Savills Chase is also expected to feature Grand National winner I Am Maximus, as confirmed by Berry.
“Fact To File and I Am Maximus are heading to Leopardstown,” he said. “It’s a good problem to have, but the dry winter has made things a bit tricky for us.”