2006 Road All-Ireland Formguide
by Jackie Cowan
CASEY B ('96, Blackwell Peter/Adora's Roberta), 10/1, Patrick Hill. Casey B won Grade A in Dunmanway; the only other Grade A he won was in 2004 in Drimoleague. He has never won a Grade B Race. He was a close second (to Bon Daniel) in last year's edition. He can never be left out of any equation; he has worked himself up through the ranks, and at the top level, is so often a "David" facing Goliaths. He was a close second in the Grade A here last year, and arguably, may have suffered interference. He is likely to fill the frame here, and depending on how the race goes, it should not be a major surprise if he wins.
COALFORD CONNECTION ('98, Music King/Cincinnati), 14/1, John O'Donovan. Coalford Connection won Grade A at Castletownshend and has been placed. On his latest effort at Old Chapel, he was unplaced behind four he will meet here. Looks to be outclassed.
FIDLIN ('95, Sherman Almahurst/Just Kerry), 1/1 fav, John McSweeney. Fidlin was second to Hello Fella on his road debut at Ballygurteen; since, he has won five on the trot. The wins I saw were all easy ones; it is said that he was made to to work a little harder by Hello Fella at Goleen. He comes from the Shanahan Stables, which has produced many All-Ireland winners, including Bon Daniel (2005) and Morfa Duke (2004). Looks to be unopposable, but in his contests here, has not come under any pressure.
HELLO FELLA ('94, Prince Lee Dancer/Hello Goodbye), 8/1, Aaron McSweeney. Hello Fella has been lightly campaigned so far. Won at Ballygurteen; was third at Goleen and unplaced at Dunmanway. In last year's All Ireland, where he was sent off favourite, he battled mightily throughout most with He's The Man. Here he is likely to set a strong early pace, but preference must be given to stable-mate, Coalford Victory.
HE'S THE MAN ('96, Today's Man/Impala), 4/1, John Sheehy. He's The Man is a very good horse; easily won Grade A at Old Chapel; was taken by surprise at Dunmanway by Casey B, but had three other wins. Faded after contending strongly until the run-in in All-Ireland 2005. Will have many supporters, but distance here may find him out.
JUST FLASH ('98, Speed Of Light/Saunders Fullsway), 14/1, Noreen McSweeney. Just Flash is something of an enigma. Won Grade B at Durrus, and has had a few seconds since. He was 4th at Dunmanway and 3rd at Old Chapel; both times he was in a good position, but lost it at the turn. He is a very strong finisher, and if he has improved at the turns, could go close. Otherwise, best watched.
STONERIGGS RASCAL ('95, Today's Man/Worth Seeing), 8/1, Anina Tanno. Lack of race fitness may tell against this road warrior. He was 2nd to He's The Man at Old Chapel - a venue he does not like, and 3rd at Dunmanway. On his debut at Drimoleague, he was 3rd and at Durrus was pulled up. He likes this course and will make them all run.
COALFORD VICTORY ('96, Surfer Hanover/Saunders Venus), 2/1, Donal Murphy. If anyone is going to rain on Fidlin's parade, it will be Coalford Victory. He made his road debut at Ballygurteen in Grade B, and finished third, having been somewhat unsettled. He went out to win his next two easily, and in the third, had to work a bit harder to make sure he shook off Just Flash. This will be his first time contesting Open level (but he is, of course, a multiple harness winner on track and turf). He's a front-runner, very fast and may well play catch-me-if-you-can.
GOLDFELLA ('98, Southlands Albatross/Autumn Gold), 14/1, Derry McCarthy. Goldfella has four wins this season, but this will also be his first venture into open class. He is a tough competitor but here, he is best watched.
MACK'S DIRECT ('99, Direct Current/Alma Mack). Micheal Duggan. Reigning champion road horse. Opened his account at Ballygurteen with a good win over He's The Man and Coalford Victory. Since then, among others, was twice second to Coalford Victory, and third at Goleen behind Cult Direct and Joe Moorsley. Would look to have it all to do here.
Reserves
JOE MOORSLEY ('98, Raque Bogart/Black Moorsley)** Won Flying Sprint at Castletownshend. Good performer, with places, including seconds at Goleen and Dunmanway. **This breeding has not been officially confirmed.
FAMOUS HILL ('96, Fame/Saunders Hill). Only two runs this season to date; 4th in Skibbereen and unplaced at Dunmanway. In All-Ireland 2005, he overcame a very bad turn to make up ground and take a close third behind Bon Daniel and Casey B.
NON RUNNERS...
CULT DIRECT ('98, Direct Current/Cult Countess), 12/1, Anina Tanno. Cult Direct is also taking a step up. He won the Grade B at Old Chapel, reeling in Goldfella. He was 3rd at Dunmanway, earlier, 2nd at Castletownshend and won at Goleen. Good solid performances, but there is no room for mistakes here and he will have to be at his very best to feature in the finish. (non runner, replaced by Mack's Direct)
Note: The prices quoted are from Angelo Hannon's message on the board. The opinions given here are my own, and not necessarily those of either Webmaster or the ITHRF.