One of the features of this year's record-breaking Galway festival has been the massive popular support for Kieren Fallon and there could be more Cheltenham-style receptions for the former champion jockey as the festival winds up tomorrow.
Fallon teams up with the Yorkshire-based trainer Kevin Ryan for the veteran Uhoomagoo who attempts to repeat his success of last year in the 100,000 Premier Handicap.
Considering Fallon rode the other British raider Bolodenka to win impressively on Thursday, the booking looks a tip in itself especially since Uhoomagoo looks to be in the form of his life.
Winner of the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, he looked slightly unlucky when runner-up at the same course last time out.
The Ryan horse is 10lb higher in the ratings compared to when he travelled to Ballybrit last year but he managed to overcome a big weight and poor draw on that occasion and can do the same now.
Fallon should also have a big chance in the other seven-furlong handicap where he rides Dollars Rock who he beat into second when winning on the gambled on Flying Knight on Wednesday.
Flying Knight needed everything to go right to justify all those bets, including managing to secure a dream run up the inside rail.
An ultra competitive bumper will bring an end to Galway 2006 and although the impressive Kilbeggan winner Azalea will have the assistance of the amateur champion Nina Carberry, it could be the Mags Mullins-trained Chomba Womba who emerges best.
The five-year-old got close to Leading Run at Gowran during the winter before a relatively disappointing run at Liverpool was followed by a victory back at Gowran. Mullins has already had a bumper winner this week and Chomba Womba could well be another.
Reisk Superman was denied a run in the Galway Hurdle on Thursday and now has to shoulder topweight in the first handicap hurdle. The task might not be beyond him, though.
Pat Flynn has his string in wonderful form at the moment and Always The Groom can prove the point again in the apprentice handicap at Cork.
A winner of a mile and a half at Ballinrobe, Always The Groom found the mile of his subsequent start at Naas far too short and even though he is a stone worse off with Pillar Rock on Ballinrobe running, he should still be the one to beat.
Tusa An Fear's winning form over hurdles and in bumpers indicates the three miles of the conditions hurdle should be absolutely ideal and Chasing The Dream can make just the second start of his career over five furlongs a winning one in the sprint.
