Still She Blooms makes all to register first career win Registering a first career win, Still She Blooms made all under a canny Robbie Colgan ride in the Rose Hotel Handicap. Placed four times in 11 previous starts, the Chris Timmons-trained four-year-old went down by just half-a-length when last seen at Leopardstown and was sent off the 3/1 favourite this evening. Drawn in stall one and quickly establishing a healthy advantage, the Darcy Minihane-owned four-year-old saw her lead greatly reduced from the two-furlong pole. Asked to go on again when ridden over a furlong out, the 57-rated bay ultimately found plenty for pressure in the closing stages and came home two-and-three-quarters of a length to the good. The Tom McCourt-trained So Messi (6/1) filled the runner-up spot under Robert Whearty, while Listowel winner Liamo (7/1) was another half-a-length away in third. "She has been very consistent and I'm delighted to get her head in front. She was unlucky the last day as she was a sitting duck but it never looked in any doubt today," Timmons reflected. "She is a little hard on herself so we found that this is the way to ride her. We don't interfere with her too much and let her enjoy herself. "I got her when Pat Martin retired and her owner and breeder is a lovely girl who unfortunately is on holiday this week. She missed today but I'm sure she'll be happy to see her win and this horse is her pride and joy. "We'll see what the handicapper does and she could go to Galway now, hopefully her owner will be back to enjoy a day out." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
