2/5 favourite Blood Destiny was upstaged by Spillane's Tower in the Betting Better With SkyBet Novice Chase at Punchestown.
The Grade Three contest has an illustrious roll of honour in recent years, with Carefully Selected, Envoi Allen, Bob Olinger and Impervious the last four winners, and Blood Destiny was fancied by many to add his name to the list following an impressive fencing debut at Naas. Just as he did a month ago, Blood Destiny set out to make every yard of the running in the hands of Paul Townend, and for much of the two-and-a-half-mile contest he appeared in complete control.
However, it became clear on the run to the final fence he had a race on his hands as Walsh conjured a late charge from Spillane's Tower (7-1), who was bidding for back-to-back course wins for trainer Jimmy Mangan and McManus. Blood Destiny was still in the lead jumping the final fence, but he was unable to resist Spillane's Tower's finishing kick, with two lengths separating the pair at the line.
The winning owner's racing manager, Frank Berry, said: "He jumped well, they went a good gallop and he stayed well. You could only be pleased with him. I'd say the step up in trip was a big help to him. Mark said he was a bit flat out early on but he got home well.
"We've no plans, we'll see where he goes and where he slots in. It's nice to see Jimmy with a nice horse, all his runs have been good and he's improving all the time. It was a nice performance."
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