Spillane's Tower to reappear in handicap hurdle with Betfair Chase a possible next step

Dual Grade 1 winner Spillane's Tower is set to run over hurdles for the first time in more than two years on Sunday before a possible tilt at the Betfair Chase.

Jimmy Mangan's stable star was scheduled to make his seasonal reappearance in last Saturday's Champion Chase at Down Royal – which was won for the third time by Envoi Allen – but was withdrawn due to the ground.

With connections keen to get him out in suitable conditions before committing to Haydock on November 22, they have elected to give him a run in the Listed SIS Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle at Naas.

Spillane's Tower is 3-1 second favourite to become the first Irish-trained winner of the Betfair Chase since A Plus Tard in 2021. The Dan Skelton-trained Grey Dawning heads the market at 11-8, while Royale Pagaille, who will be bidding for a third successive win in the race, is a 5-1 chance with the sponsors.

• Betfair Chase first up as Dan Skelton plots his way to the Gold Cup with 'fully matured' Grey Dawning 
• Brighterdayshead's potential chase debut among the big highlights in store in Ireland this weekend 

"The plan is to run on Sunday at Naas over hurdles," said Mangan. "I was discussing it with Frank [Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus] and he needs a race. It's just about getting him out and the ground is softer now. 

"He's in the Betfair Chase at Haydock so we'll see how we get on on Sunday. Haydock is definitely an option. I think the John Durkan is unlikely, especially if Inothewayurthinkin is going there."

Jimmy Mangan: "He needs a race"Credit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Spillane's Tower's sole win in five starts over hurdles came at Naas, where he landed his maiden in February 2023, while his most recent run over hurdles came when he finished second to Monbeg Park in a novice at the Punchestown festival the following April.

Since then the seven-year-old has scaled lofty heights over fences, landing four of his ten starts, including back-to-back Grade 1s in his novice season. 

After winning the WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse and defeating Monty's Star to score again at the highest level at Punchestown, he made his first start in open chase company in last season's John Durkan, in which he ran a huge race to be beaten only half a length by subsequent Ryanair Chase winner Fact To File, with Galopin Des Champs back in third.

He was then sent off 11-4 favourite for the King George, but was unable to land a blow, finishing fifth to Banbridge before ending his campaign with a runner-up effort behind Galopin Des Champs in the Punchestown Gold Cup.

As a result of his exploits over fences, his chase mark is 33lb higher than his hurdle rating so he is set to run off just 130 on Sunday.

Betfair Chase (Haydock, November 22)
Betfair Sportsbook: 11-8 Grey Dawning, 3 Spillane’s Tower, 5 Royale Pagaille, 6 Protektorat, 10 Handstands, 12 Haiti Couleurs, Mr Vango, 14 Stellar Story, 16 Resplendent Grey, 20 Beauport, Hitman, Jordans, 25 Myretown, 33 Intense Raffles, 40 Ginny’s Destiny, 50 Marsh Wren.

Read more here

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Brighterdayshead's potential chase debut among the big highlights in store in Ireland this weekend 

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