Mangan eyes Irish Gold Cup or Cotswold Chase for Spillane's Tower

January 13, 2026

Jimmy Mangan is eyeing a tilt at the Irish Gold Cup or Cotswold Chase with Spillane’s Tower.

The eight-year-old has failed to live up to expectation following a thoroughly promising 2024 that saw him collect two Grade 1s as a novice before taking the step into open company in stride with a neck runner-up to Fact To File in the John Durkan Chase.

His season began in November with a disappointing performance as 6/5 favourite in the valuable Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle at Naas but he gave a better account of himself at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve when third behind El Fabiolo.

After those spins over hurdles Mangan is keen to get the son of Walk In The Park back chasing and he told the Racing Post there was plenty to be positive about from that recent effort.

“His hurdle run the last day was encouraging and he’s definitely on the way back.

“He’s in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown and there is also the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham. He could go for one of those races but I’ll have to talk to Frank (Berry) and see where they want to go.”

Before Punchestown, Mangan had mentioned the Grade 3 Thyestes Chase at Gorwan Park as a potential target so it’s been quite a significant change of strategy.

The ⬜️ show

holds off Spillane’s Tower to lead home a JP McManus one-two in a brilliant edition of the Grade 1 John Durkan Chase.

The new kids on the block in the staying chase division!@punchestownrace | @WillieMullinsNH pic.twitter.com/pFqV5lTQyv

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 24, 2024

Connections no doubt have a mountain to climb to get Spillane’s Tower back dining at the top table and an Irish Gold Cup bid would certainly be audacious, his ante-post odds of 16/1 reflecting that view.

He has looked a tricky sort in recent times with attitude concerns voiced by many but the way he plugged on after being outpaced at Punchestown was a step in the right direction.

It was hardly the strongest of races though and considering how well he was supported in the market that day there’s every reason to suggest it was underwhelming at the same time.

History hasn’t been kind to pair of top-level contests he won as a novice, beating the likes of Blood Destiny and Monty’s Star who is now being campaigned as a Grand National horse.

If JP McManus’ team decide to go for the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham, Spillane’s Tower will have his work cut out for him against Dan Skelton’s Betfair Chase hero Grey Dawning.

He’s a far cry from being sent off the 11/4 favourite in a King George VI Chase but having only just turned eight, time is still on his side.