Rose Anjou gained a deserved victory when claiming the Margaret McManus Memorial Handicap at Bellewstown.

Tracey Collins charge had been placed on three previous outings this season and got her turn tonight to gain the first win of her career.

Pat Smullen produced the 9/2 favourite to lead over a furlong from home and she kept on gamely in the closing stages to record a half length win over Botanical Lady

“She's a model of consistency and had been banging on the door for the last two year with unlucky stories and bad draws,” said Collins.

“She had another bad draw here this evening but Pat gave her a phenomenal ride. He dropped her in, gave her a chance, and she came home well.

“The ground here is a credit to Bellewstown and they always turn out super ground. The atmosphere is top class and it's a super meeting.

“She's five but she hasn't had a lot of racing as she hasn't been the easiest to train. The handicapper hasn't missed her but he'll say tonight wasn't he right.

“She tries very hard and she'll always give you 200 percent.

“That's my first winner of the season but my horses have actually been running well and finishing second and third.”