Spillane's Tower puts Grand National-winning trainer Jimmy Mangan back in the big time by beating 2-5 Blood Destiny

Grand National-winning trainer Jimmy Mangan and rider Mark Walsh teamed up with the JP McManus-owned six-year-old Spillane's Tower to land the Grade 3 Sky Bet-sponsored novice chase.

Walsh bided his time and struck late in the straight, going away to win by two lengths from odds-on favourite Blood Destiny. 

Having finished fourth on his first two runs over fences, Spillane's Tower took a step forward at this venue before Christmas when beating the Gordon Elliott-trained Firm Footings by a head, and his rapid progress continued here with an authoritative display over a longer trip. 

He outstayed the Willie Mullins-trained front-runner from the final fence, with the Con O'Keeffe-trained mare Silent Approach running a fine race in third, beaten five lengths.

Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, said: "The step up in trip suited him well. Mark said he was a bit flat out early on, but he stayed and jumped well. It's nice to see Jimmy with a nice horse again.

"All his runs have been good and he's improving all the time. He learned a lot from winning over the sharp two miles here last time. Mark said the leader stopped a bit in front today and he just got home better than that one. We'll see where he slots in. He could easily step up in trip again."

Paddy Power and Betfair Sportsbook reacted by inserting the winner at 20-1 in their Arkle Chase betting, although he is shorter with other firms. Blood Destiny was pushed out to a general 16-1, while Marine Nationale hardened at the head of the market, with his price now ranging from 1-2 to 8-11.

It was a first Graded winner for Mangan in almost exactly 11 years, with the drought dating back to Noras Fancy's win in a Grade 2 mares' novice chase at Thurles in January 2013.

Reflecting on Blood Destiny's performance, Mullins' assistant trainer David Casey said: "He may have done a little bit too much early on. He jumped very well but maybe he needs to step back in trip. I'd say he was beaten by a decent horse."

Mullins completes unusual treble

Apart from that reversal, it was a good day for Mullins. The victory of Mystical Power in the feature was followed by Lisnagar Fortune in the maiden hurdle under Paul Townend, and the champion trainer rounded off the day as the winning breeder of the well-backed Idol in the 2m4½f handicap hurdle.

Mullins trained the daughter of Jukebox Jury to win a Roscommon bumper two summers ago. Now in the care of Sam Curling, she was a well-backed 100-30 shot in her first handicap hurdle and beat a competitive field without much fuss.

The winning trainer was point-to-pointing at Turtulla, but winning rider Phillip Enright said: "She jumped so well that the hurdles being omitted because of the low sun wasn't ideal. She was good and bold at the last and toughed it out. 

"She won a bumper, had three nice runs in maiden hurdles, and this was a drop back in class in her own company. She doesn't mind soft ground but I don't know if she'd want real winter ground."

Read more . . .

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