Manning comes down to earth after Classic Kevin Manning endured mixed fortunes on day one of the Killarney Festival meeting, just 24 hours after his first Classic victory aboard Margarula at the Curragh.He was again successful on a Jim Bolger-trained filly when taking the Seamus Weldon Handicap aboard Shanesia. The Erins Isle filly, upped in trip and tackling handicap company for the first time on this her seasonal debut, benefited from a strong drive to lead inside the final furlong for a length and a half victory over Caishill. Bolger`s assistant Myles Sutherland indicated afterwards that the winner may be stepped up again in distance to a mile and a half.However, Manning was unseated soon after the start in the Killarney Avenue/Munster Joinery Handicap, when Deoraoicht appeared to duck out when crossing a pathway. Happily, Manning was able to walk away from the incident, and victory in this two miles and a furlong race went to The Cushman. Michael Hussey was partnering his 11th winner of the season on the dual purpose gelding, who held off the challenge of Etak by four lengths.King`s Mountain swooped late to make a winning debut in the opening Lakes EBF Maiden under a determined ride from Wayne Lordan. The David Wachman-trained juvenile, sporting the famous blue and orange colours of Michael Tabor, was under strong pressure before halfway, but responded well in the closing stages to touch off Blue Corrig on the line.'He only started to understand what the game is about in the final furlong. He wants a trip and should improve a lot from that experience,' said Wachman.Night Of Nights, who cost just #500 at the Doncaster Sales last autumn, also led close home to take the Aghadoe Heights Hotel Handicap in the hands of Jerry O`Dwyer. 'She stays well, and should be able to win a four-year-old hurdle this year,' said trainer Philip Rothwell.Favourite backers finally got it right in the bumper, where Homebird was patiently ridden by Davy Russell to beat Share Deep by two and a half lengths. Hurricane Alan, successful in the €130,000 Goffs Challenge at the Curragh in June, is likely to represent Richard Hannon in the #135,000 Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury on Saturday.The Marlborough trainer has collected the prize three times, with Lyric Fantasy (1992), Risky (1993) and Miss Stamper (1996) and he has sent out the runner-up four times in the race`s 11-year history. Hannon is responsible for 10 of the 31 two-year-olds to stand their ground.Gainsborough trainer James Given has three possibles including Wunders Dream, a seven-length scorer at Nottingham on her latest start in May. Malton handler Tim Easterby, successful with both Flanders (1998) and Good Girl last year, could be double-handed with Roman Mistress and Golden Nun. Mantles Prince, the winner of the Ladbroke Hurdle at Leopardstown two years ago for the Pat Hughes stable, has been entered for the Doncaster August sales. Ballyamber, succesful over hurdles at Fairyhouse in February when trained by Willie Mullins, is another Irish entry. Godolphin, who sent out Sakhee to win the Steventon Stakes following a long lay-off through injury 12 months ago, have entered Tobougg and Naheef for the listed race at Newbury on Saturday.The four-year-old Tobougg, placed in Vodafone Derby, Dubai Champion Stakes and Hong Kong Cup last season, has not won since he took the Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes as a juvenile when he was trained by Mick Channon.And the Saeed bin Suroor-trained colt was fifth to Rebelline in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh on his latest start two months ago. Naheef was a smart youngster last term but has disappointed in both his starts, albeit in the Sagitta 2000 Guineas and the Vodafone Derby this campaign. Barry Hills and jockey JD Smith and other interested parties will have to wait a few more days to see if the Jockey Club are going to look into a controversial race at Beverley on Friday.Smith appeared to drophis hands briefly on the Hills-trained Lakatoi when he mistook the winning post in the last race on Friday night`s programme.
