Winning connections of Spillane's Tower © Photo Healy Racing
Jimmy Mangan ended an 11-year wait for graded glory today as the Grand National winning trainer landed Punchestown's Grade 3 Betting Better With SkyBet Novice Chase with J.P. McManus' promising chaser Spillane's Tower (7/1).
Ridden by Mark Walsh, the six-year-old son of Walk In The Park was held up in rear, moved to challenge from the second-last and on the run-in, improved past leader Blood Destiny (2/5f) to score by a taking two-lengths.
The trainer of Monty's Pass, whose other big-race wins have come in a Galway Plate, two Thyestes Chases, Grade 1 Powers Gold Cup and a Kerry National, wasn't present for today's success, which was his first graded winner since Noras Fancy's Grade 2 chase win in January 2013.
Today McManus' racing manager Frank Berry reported “it's nice to see Jimmy with a nice horse and he jumped well, they went a good gallop and stayed well. You could only be pleased with him.
“All his runs have been good and he's improving all the time. I'd say the step up in trip was a big help to him and Mark said he was flat out early-on but got home well.
“I didn't know what to expect, he had a battle here the last day and won by a head so it was nice the way he did it. Over the sharp two miles last time he learned a good bit.
“We've no plans, we'll see where he goes and where he slots in.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
