MANNING ENJOYS FINEST HOUR ON OAKS OUTSIDER MARGARULA

Kevin Manning partnered his first classic win and Jim Bolger made a welcome return to the big time as Margarula caused a 33/1 shock in the Darley Irish Oaks, writes Alan Magee.

Quarter Moon was sent off the 4/5 favourite but completed a hat-trick of classic seconds as Margarula, owned by Bolger`s wife Jackie, struck the front at the furlong pole for a length success. The Doyoun filly went into the race with a rating of just 101, compared to the runner-up`s 119, but that figure is sure to take a huge jump as the pair pulled six lengths clear of third placed Lady`s Secret.

The Oaks is one of the few big prizes to still elude Quarter Moon`s handler Aidan O`Brien, but the master of Ballydoyle enjoyed better fortune at headquarters on Saturday when completing a Group race double with Century City and Ontario. However the main talking point of the afternoon was the protracted stewards enquiry after Century City`s win in the Goffs International Stakes.

The stewards looked into a number of incidents in the mile event, but the eventual decision to suspend jockey Colm O`Donoghue for seven days appeared harsh. The Ballydoyle apprentice was aboard stable outsider Temple Of Artemis, who set the pace until dropping away inside the final quarter mile. He was judged to have ridden `improperly` when the Spinning World colt edged right towards Wrong Key, who hit the railing. Improper riding is defined in the Turf Club rule book as that which `falls short of an acceptable level of sportmanship and responsibility`.

Ground conditions were testing at the Curragh following yet another wet week with four meetings washed out, while Navan had to abandoned after four races on Thursday due to a monsoon-like downpour. Surprisingly the Co. Meath venue raced the following evening, and Garrett Cotter was certainly glad as he recorded a first ever treble. The popular Cork rider notched up a 1,027/1 three-timer aboard Victor Sherlock, Fair And Lively and Goodonyou-Polly.

The sunny south-east obviously escaped the worst of the weather as the ground at Wexford was good to firm on Friday when Niall Madden partnered his first winner on Teknash, trained by his father and namesake. Madden senior is best known by the nickname `Boots` from his own successful riding days in the 1980`s, and apparently his 16-year-old son has been `christened` Slippers!

An interesting consequence of the inclement weather is the fact that just four chase races were held in the 30 day period from June 12. Hooves rattling off a firm surface is usually the image conjured of summer racing over fences, but this is no normal year. The situation is unlikely to improve much this week either as all chases at the four day Killarney meeting have already been abandoned.

The National Hunt Awards for the 2001-02 season were held in Adare on Saturday night, with J P McManus, Noel Meade and Paul Carberry crowned champion owner, trainer and jockey respectively. Philip Fenton (amateur), Caroline Hutchinson (lady) and Jimmy Mansell (claimer) also picked up riding awards, while Jim Culloty was awarded the Personality of the Year in recognition of his victories in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National.

Tony Sweeney received a well deserved Hall of Fame award for his contribution to racing journalism. Tony is a fountain of knowledge on the sport, and his recent publication - Sweeney Guide To The Turf - provides a comprehensive history of 500 years of Irish racing.

Alan Magee