Cork connections at Cheltenham: Spillane's Tower chasing Gold Cup glory for Jimmy Mangan

The Cheltenham Festival gets underway today with four days of high drama in the Cotswolds. 

The Gold Cup is the highlight of the week and there will be huge interest on Leeside with Conna trainer Jimmy Mangan’s Spillane's Tower a strong contender for the big one. 

Mangan is one of the most popular men in racing and is looking to complete a famous double as he won the Aintree Grand National with Montys Pass back in 2003. The last winner of the Gold Cup trained in Cork was Imperial Call for Fergie Sutherland in 1996.

Cork jockeys Paul Townend and Darragh O’Keeffe will have plenty of chances during the week as they ride for Willie Mullins and Henry De Bromhead, respectively. 

Townend links up with flamboyant Fermoy owner Charlie McCarthy with Kopek Des Bordes who runs in the Arkle Novice Chase on day one. Kopek was an emotional winner of the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novice Hurdle at last year’s festival. However, Kopek Des Bordes has only been seen once this season in November, where he cruised to victory at Navan. 

Since that impressive display, he suffered a setback and missed the Dublin Racing Festival. The vibes from the Mullins camp appear to be particularly strong and punters are hoping to get off to a flyer with Kopek Des Bordes for the McCarthy family in the Arkle Novice Chase. 

The Champion Hurdle is one of four championship races during the week and Lossiemouth and Townend are leading contenders. 

This talented mare took the easier option of the Mares hurdle last year, but she looks a serious player now pitched in at the deep end. Throughout the week, Townend will have plenty of leading chances including Final Demand, Bamino Fever, Jade De Grugy and Gaelic Warrior, who is now favourite for the Gold Cup.

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Darragh O’Keeffe is having a brilliant campaign and has already ridden 82 winners this season. Having taken over from Rachael Blackmore, the Doneraile rider has really grabbed his opportunity with both hands. 

Partnering the Henry De Bromhead horses will always provide plenty of opportunites which the jockey is relishing. 

We have a lovely team of horses going over and Cheltenham is the Olympics of our sport. 

"Envoi Allen has been a mighty warrior for the yard and provided me with a couple of Grade 1 wins. The Big Westerner is a very good mare while Koktail Divin was a very good winner over Christmas at Leopardstown. We have plenty horses running in the handicaps throughout the week so hopefully we can make it into the winner’s enclosure.” 

 Carrigtwohill handler Terrence O’Brien runs Cons Roc in the Hunters Chase, and his form gives him a big chance. This race has been good to the Cork point to point community with previous winners including Lovely Citizen, Whyso Mayo, Salsify and most recently It Came To Pass for Maxine and Eugene O’Sullivan in 2020. 

O’Brien has enjoyed a great season with Answer To Kaft winning the Troytown Chase at Navan but a Cheltenham winner would be very special. 

“It’s all systems go with Cons Roc and a drop of rain would probably help our chances. His homework has been good and but winning over there won’t be easy. We’ve had a couple of placed horses over the years, but you need plenty of luck in running at a place like Cheltenham.” 

Other Cork trainers going over include Padraig Butler who runs De Capo Glory in the MGM Cup handicap hurdle while Dream On Baby is locally owned here in Cork and runs in the Mares Hurdle on Thursday.