A winner on Trials Day at Cheltenham, Spillane’s Tower has left Jimmy Mangan dreaming of Gold Cup glory.
Spillane’s Tower was one of the more significant winners at the previous Prestbury Park meeting. He landed the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase over a furlong shorter than the Gold Cup trip. It was his first win in nearly two years.
Trainer Jimmy Mangan relies on the eight-year-old alone for his Cheltenham Festival chances this season. The yard have only been responsible for six horses racing in Ireland this term.
That has not stopped the 70-year-old Mangan from dreaming big, however. Spillane’s Tower has mixed it with the best in his career so far, with Gold Cup success a distinct possibility in an open year.
“My faith in him has never wavered” – Mangan
Given his run of 21 months without success, many would have doubted if Spillane’s Tower would revive his form. That was not the case for Mangan, who has nursed him back to his very best.
A disappointing fifth in the 2024 King George VI Chase, he was second in the Punchestown Gold Cup in April. Subsequently he was sent back over hurdles to regain his fitness for this campaign.
It proved a masterstroke, as the horse delivered a composed win in the Cotswold Chase last month. The Gold Cup picture suddenly looks bright for Mangan and owner JP McManus.
“He came out of the race brilliant,” Mangan said to the Sporting Life. “It didn’t knock a shake out of him, really. I never thought his form was tailing off.”
Despite Spillane’s Tower’s return to form, Mangan admits this season has not been completely by design.
“I’d have to say it was trainer error that I ran him at Naas because we went up to the John Nicholson at Down Royal and that was five hours up and five hours back,” he said.
“And I ran him a few days later in the Naas race which I knew if he was in top form he would have won, but he ran flat that day and I have to hold my hands up, I was my fault.”
Even if there have been some difficulties though, Mangan has remained steadfast in his belief in his stable star.
“My faith in him has never wavered. He ran against El Fabiolo in Punchestown on New Year’s Eve and Mark Walsh hopped off and said he’s back to himself again. We were pretty confident going over to Cheltenham for the Cotswold.
“I was so happy with the way my horse came up that hill at Cheltenham and Jack was very, very happy with him.”