Ground key for Spillane’s Tower at Christmas, says Mangan

Conditions will be key to plans for Spillane’s Tower, with trainer Jimmy Mangan warning his charge will only take in a Christmas outing if there is enough ease in the ground.

Frank Berry, racing manager for owner JP McManus, has indicated Spillane’s Tower could be supplemented for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase after finishing a fine second to another McManus runner Fact To File in the John Durkan Memorial Chase last month.

Both horses are entered for the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over the Christmas period but with the McManus team eager to split their aces, Spillane’s Tower could make the trip to Kempton if the going is suitable.

Mangan told the Nick Luck Daily Podcast: “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 would think (the race) will suit him and Kempton would suit him as well.”

Spillane’s Tower ran seven times as a novice last term, winning in Grade One company at both Fairyhouse and Punchestown, outings which Mangan believes proved crucial in showing his best in the Durkan, despite not having had a perfect preparation.

He added: “He did get lots of experience last year and it stood to him there in the John Durkan, you could see that he was very professional. It’s just been a troublesome year really as you can’t go on grass and he hadn’t been seen on it from April until Punchestown because the ground is so hard.

“Saying that, he jumped very well in Punchestown and he’s naturally a good jumper, he usually very good.

“I knew he’d be there (in the Durkan) but he was only about 90 per cent fit because I couldn’t get him away on grass, he was only on the all-weather gallop to get him reasonably fit but he was about 90 per cent, so I wasn’t surprised he weakened a bit up the straight.

“I’ll be in touch with Frank and JP but they are brilliant people and horse comes first, so if the ground on either of the two tracks (Kempton and Leopardstown) is on the tight side, he will probably stay in his stable.”

Spillane’s Tower is the general 3-1 favourite the King George, ahead of Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning at 7-2.