Millforce (right) jumps the last alongside Arctic Gale (centre) and Ol Man Dingle © Photo Healy Racing
After the success of Routine Excellence in the opener, Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue quickly double-up with Millforce in the Connolly's Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle.
Graduating from the point-to-point fields after winning on his sixth start for Liam Kenny at Ballindenisk in May, the Workforce five-year-old proved easy-to-back this evening, going off a 15/2 chance from 3s early.
Soon settled behind the leaders on the inner and not fluent at the sixth, the bay victor improved into a share of the lead on the approaching to three out.
Soon pushed along, he gained a narrow lead at the last and was ridden away from there to score by two-and-a-quarter lengths in the colours of the Orphan Girl Syndicate.
Returned the 11/10 favourite, Arctic Gale was still in a share of the lead when far from clever the last and he ultimately had to settle for second under Donagh Meyler for Emmet Mullins.
Outsider Ol Man Dingle (18/1 from 33s early) ran his best race to date, finishing a head away in third.
"He's a fine big horse and he is something to look at. He's probably a chaser in the making," Cromwell enthused.
"As we kind of expected, he was a little bit novicey at some of his hurdles. A sharp track around here, tight enough for him.
"He did get that good jump at the last.
"Hopefully, there is plenty more to come from him. He could step up in trip and I'd say he does appreciate nice ground. Time will tell whether he wants winter ground, but he certainly handles that fine ground."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
