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The following is a form guide to the horses ENTERED in the 2008 All-Ireland Road Trotting Championship at Rosscarbery on Sunday, April 6th. The jockeys are those who have been declared and/or are probable. Since its inception in 1985, Christine (Burchill) Murphy and Michael Williamson are the only jockeys to win this race three times. Donal Murphy and John McSweeney will be trying for the hat-trick here. The only horse to have won this two years in a row is HiLo's Pride (1987/1988). Fidlin and Coalford Victory have only raced in Grade A, and Dilly's Dragon has only contested Grade B. The other entrants have raced in both grades this season. Favourites do not have a great record in this race. The opinions expressed here are my own, and not those of Webmaster.
Please note: there may be some last-minute jockey changes.

Brywins Best Scoot ('00), Master Scoot/Family Matters (John O'Donovan)
Second in two Grade B races to Driven Storm; 3rd in Grade A at Colomane. Unplaced at Ownahincha.Will have to be at his best to play a hand in the finish.

Coalford Victory ('96), Surfer Hanover/Saunders Venus (Donal Murphy).
Third in his two outings this term. Was 3rd when joint-favourite in last year's event. Murphy won in 2006 with Hello Fella (5/1) and also in 1996 with Surprise Skipper. Has to have a great chance and a win would not be a huge surprise.

Cult Direct ('98), Direct Current/Cult Countess (Derry McCarthy).
Unplaced on his last effort in Grade A at Ballydehob. Earlier, won Grade B twice and was 2nd behind Dilly's Dragon at Ownahincha. Will have it all to do here. McCarthy won with Bon Daniel (8/1) in 2005.

Dilly's Dragon ('03), House Of Cards/Dilly's Princess (John McSweeney)
A slightly disappointing 2nd behind Hilton Genius at Ballydehob; won at Ownahincha; 2nd at Castlehaven and 4th on his debut at Dunmanway. May be better than that and could go close. McSweeney won with Morfa Duke (3/1) in 2004 and in 1997 with Storm Trooper.

Driven Storm ('01), Driven By Design/Springhill Sheeba (Noreen McSweeney).
Won a Grade A and three Grade B races before his roll came to a halt when he was pulled up at Castlehaven. On his last outing, he was 2nd to Magical Mancini, who trailed 20 yards. He cannot afford to make any mistakes here, and if he does not, he will be very hard to pin back. McSweeney won this last year with Fidlin (10/1).

Fidlin ('95), Sherman Almahurst/Just Kerry (Aaron Sweeney)
Won five Grade A races on the trot, the last one when trailing. He was 2nd to Magical Mancini at Ownahincha, still on a 20-yard handicap. He was ridden in all these by Noreen McSweeney. He will be well supported and, depending on how the race goes, could pull a surprise like last year. Sweeney won in 2003 with Hello Good Knight (6/4 joint favourite)

Magical Mancini ('01), The Big Dog/Midnight Tolls (Tim O'Leary)
The probable favourite has won his last seven starts, defeated (2nd) on his local debut by Fidlin. He has conquered the other hotpots at different times during the season, and looks unopposable.

Oakview Flash ('99), Today's Man/La Prima Donna (Deirdre Goggin). Lightly campaigned, his best effort was winning the Sprint at Castlehaven. His other two outings resulted in filling the frame. He seems something of an unknown quantity, and cannot be entirely ruled out. Goggin was 2nd last year with Hilltop Tuck.