Park provides Rothwell with further January success

Union Park provided Philip Rothwell with his third winner of the month, as he overturned the favourite Bonnie Kellie in the Jossestown Handicap Chase.

A consistent performer, the son of Walk In The Park was placed on his last two starts and was sent off a 7/1 chance this afternoon.

Settled behind the leaders by Darragh O'Keeffe, the bay victor improved into a share of the lead before two out and hit the front on the run to the last.

Ridden on the run-in he extended his advantage and came home three-and-a-quarter lengths to the good in the colours of Oliver Barden.

Sent off the even money favourite, Bonnie Kellie had to settle for second under Phillip Enright for Sam Curling, while Jakes Dream (18/1) was another three-and-a-half lengths back in third.

"We all deserve winners but the horse deserved to win. He has ran some super races but he has been a little frustrating," Rothwell said.

"I chose not to run him in Cork last week when it became very heavy over 2m 4f and Oliver was super good to support me in not running and to wait for two-miles today. Sometimes we make right decisions and sometimes wrong decisions but that was definitely a right one."

He added: "Oliver is fantastic - we had six or seven winners together last year but this season we've only had five seconds, without a winner, so he deserves this.

"The whole family really love their racing and my connection with Oliver goes back ten years and he is more than a client to me. He is a great friend and mentor in business.

"He is a Dublin publican and I'd say if he took on anything tomorrow, he'd make a success of it - he is an extraordinarily good businessman and a good friend."

STEWARDS REPORT

P.J. O'Hanlon, rider of Berliet Express trained by P.J. Rothwell, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount stopped quickly.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes