WillowWarm Gold Cup Novice Chase |
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| Grade 1, Fairyhouse 16:55 €100,000 added, 5yo plus, 2m 4f, Class 1  |
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1 Spillane's Tower 7/4
2 Tactical Move 7/1
3 Blood Destiny 6/4F
7 ran Distances: 1¾l, 1½l, 2¾l
Time: 5m 46.00s (slow by 55.00s)
Spillane's Tower strikes 𝐆𝐎𝐋𝐃 @Fairyhouse 🏆
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 31, 2024
Jimmy Mangan is officially back in the big time! 🟢🟡 pic.twitter.com/arPz3yraSG
Spillane’s Tower battled to a determined victory, securing a significant triumph for trainer Jimmy Mangan and jockey Mark Walsh. Owned by JP McManus, Spillane’s Tower marked Mangan’s first Grade One success in 16 years since Conna Castle won the same race.
The backstory adds to the drama: Mangan previously trained Monty’s Pass, who clinched the prestigious Grand National title in 2003. His sole other Grade One victory came five years later with Conna Castle. Now, Spillane’s Tower has etched its name in the annals of racing history.
Before this triumph, Spillane’s Tower had already demonstrated promise, winning two of his five previous outings over fences, including a Grade Three race at Punchestown. However, in the Flyingbolt Novice Chase at Navan, Bloody Destiny had narrowly outperformed him.
In their rematch, the odds favored Bloody Destiny at 6-4, but Spillane’s Tower, priced at 7-4, turned the tables. Under Mark Walsh’s expert guidance, Spillane’s Tower surged ahead, covering the two-and-a-half-mile distance with strength and determination, ultimately prevailing by a length and three-quarters.
As the dust settled, Tactical Move secured the runner-up position, leaving Willie Mullins-trained stablemate Blood Destiny trailing behind. Mangan’s delight was palpable, and Spillane’s Tower’s future looks promising. Perhaps next year, the three-mile challenge awaits, but for now, the celebrations continue at Fairyhouse.
Mangan said: “From day one we’ve liked this horse and he’s taken to fences really well. I’m so delighted for the lads at home in the yard, Pat Murphy rides him every day, and the McManus family for sending him to me.
“We only have about a dozen horses and most of them are pointers. This horse is only a six-year-old and his future is ahead of him. When the ground dries he’ll go home to Martinstown and next year will be the plan.
“I couldn’t see why he wouldn’t stay three miles, but that will be for next year. He’s by a great sire in Walk In The Park.
“I spoke to Jody Townend and she said the ground is a bit tacky, more so on the hurdle course than the chase, so I was happy enough.
“Willie is an incredible trainer and a gentleman into the bargain. He even wished me well before the race today and vice versa, I wished him well.”
WillowWarm Gold Cup Novice Chase
Grade 1 €100,000 added,
5yo plus, 2m 4f, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Heavy
1 Spillane's Tower 6 11-12 James Joseph Mangan Mark Walsh 7/4
2 1¾ Tactical Move 10 11-12 W P Mullins Danny Mullins 7/1
3 1½ Blood Destiny 5 11-12 W P Mullins Paul Townend 6/4F
4 2¾ Thecompanysergeant 7 11-12 Denis Gerard Hogan Donagh Meyler 33/1
5 20 Zanahiyr 7 11-12 Gordon Elliott Keith Donoghue 17/2
6 35 Flanking Maneuver 9 11-12 Noel Meade Sam Ewing 40/1
FELL Saint Felicien 7 11-12 Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy 11/1
