Spillane's Tower set to join Corbetts Cross in the King George as JP McManus firms up festive plans

JP McManus is set to be doubly represented in his quest for a first victory in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase – but it is Spillane's Tower rather than Kempton favourite Fact To File due to be supplemented into the Christmas showpiece.

While Spillane's Tower will join McManus's Corbetts Cross on December 26, the owner's Gold Cup favourite Fact To File will instead stay at home for another potential humdinger of a clash with Galopin Des Champs in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown.

The surprise omission of ante-post favourite Gaelic Warrior at the latest King George entry stage, along with seven other Willie Mullins-trained horses, blew the race wide open, but McManus's racing manager Frank Berry said the intention is to supplement Spillane's Tower, who was runner-up in the John Durkan Memorial Chase on his most recent start.