Union Park wins well for favourite backers

Consistent Union Park landed his second victory over fences in the www.thurlesraces.ie Handicap Chase over an extended two miles.

The 2/1 favourite jumped the ditch (five out) in an improving third and closed on Kitty Galore in second at the penultimate fence.

Kitty Galore was less than fluent and yielded the lead to Union Park who was soon pressed on his inner by Vado Forte The latter came under the whip on the run to the last with Union Park going the better of the pair.

Union Park moved on before the last and jumped it well. Vado Forte could make no impression and unseated Michael O'Sullivan leaving Espion Du Chenet in second.

The leader galloped home by eight lengths from the 9/2 runner-up. Kitty Galore was a further seven lengths adrift in third at 9/1.

Philip Rothwell said: "He was very fizzy in his earlier days and I thought he'd improve with racing, but it is only now he is starting to settle in the stable yard and in his races. We don't plait him and he is left to his own in his stable and is getting the hang of things now and is getting confident.

"Darragh (O'Keeffe, jockey) said his jumping is extremely good and he seems to be going the right way. This race, without being rude to it, broke up into an ordinary race and he was in off a nice weight."

He added: "I'm very fortunate my staff are a brilliant bunch and are doing a brilliant job. It is making a huge difference, the horses are healthy and I have extremely supportive owners.

"I could do with a few more horses as we'll let out plenty of horses, so I'll have a quieter summer, but at least we're letting out winners ahead of next winter."

Union Park has won two of his last five handicap chases and has been placed in the other three.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes