Millforce not for passing Millforce produced a very gutsy front-running performance to land the spoils in the WT O’Grady Memorial Irish EBF Novice Hurdle at Thurles. Keith Donoghue won the early battle for the lead on the 9/2 shot, going on from the third flight. The Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding looked a sitting duck though as he was driven along turning for home as Sporting Glory loomed large. He found plenty for pressure though and fought off Sporting Glory on the run-in before holding the late charge of Mister Pink by a head. The winner had been third in a rated novice hurdle here last month and was wearing cheekpieces for the first time today. Cromwell said:- "Keith was very good on him as I thought he was very vulnerable racing across the top but he kept the pressure on. “The cheek-pieces helped as when he was in front he was idling but he is genuine, stays going and jumped really well.  "Nice ground is important for him." (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
