IN the past few years Galway Hurdle day has deposed Plate day as the bigger draw, both in crowds and betting. Thursday broke all modern day attendance records of 26,000 and that is for paying customers while overall was bookmaker and wagering, i.e. tote, was £1.2 million plus, an increase of £250,000 on the preceding year's take.

So, another bumper Festival draws to a close today when the European Breeders Fund Premier Nursery is featured. John Oxx will cap a memorable meeting if Shantarini manages to win this open race. The Aga Khan's colt won over the distance at Gowran Park on his second outing having promised so well when finishing third behind the highly regarded Beautiful Fire and Gunfire on his debut at the Curragh in June. Gunfire advertised the form over the same course last Saturday.

Gaultier Gale has a lot of experience and will be fancied by some to step up on his second behind Casey Tibbs during the week. The latter finished five lengths adrift of Shantarini at the Curragh but one cannot take him as a yardstick as the race was won by his better fancied stable companion. Dermot Weld now runs Without Doubt, but the top weight was a well beaten fifth behind Check The Band over five furlongs at headquarters in April having short headed Beamingall over at Leopardstown. The latter has not won in three subsequent outings. Shantarini can win.

If none the worse for her efforts and she did not appear to have a hard race when winning over three miles on Thursday Cullenstown Lady may well carry her 5lb penalty to success in the Dawn Milk Handicap Hurdle. Third in last year's corresponding race Pat Hughes' charge went to the front after the ninth and making the rest held by three parts of a length the challenge of the consistent Martin Pipe trained Glengarrif Girl. She stays well and has won five times over timber. Huncheon Chance who ran on the flat during the week also stays and Ian Ferguson's consistent charge is taken as the danger.

Balyara, twice successful over this course last year including a beginners chase in September, will be the better for his recent run at Down Royal but has something to find on the four length winner Any Port. However, Aidan O'Brien can land the Dawn Hi and Lo Maiden with Mount Rushmore and I expect Onyourown to win the Kerry Spring Handicap.