After a highly emphatic win yesterday in the Grade 1 Mares Novice Hurdle Championship, Laurina could be on course to lock horns with Gordon Elliott’s Samcro at the Punchestown festival in just over three weeks’ time.
The five-year-old simply destroyed the field on Easter Sunday, still on the bridle when crossing the finish line, winning by a impressive eight lengths, and in the process, making a huge statement.
Willie Mullins admitted yesterday that he is open to a number of options for Laurina, but also added that the mare seems best over a two-mile-plus trip, as does Samcro.
So potentially, we could be treated to a mouth-watering clash in the Tattersalls Ireland Novices Hurdle at the festival if Mullins declares his charge, which seems like a possibility after yesterday’s success.
Mullins said, when speaking to the Racing Post:
If all is well, we’ll go to Punchestown with her. We will see how she comes out of the race. That’s good to get her Grade 1 there so im very pleased.
She could go for a novice race at Punchestown. The mares’ race is an open race which would be tough. I’m going to leave it open, and wouldn’t be worried about the trip. She could go out to three miles easily, and has enough ability to do the two mile trips.
Mullins also confirmed that the mare will head to the County Kildare course for one of the Novice Hurdles before making a official decision on the festival declarations.
Jockey Paul Townend was motionless on the mare as she yet again made a mockery of her own sex, that was Laurina’s fourth victory on the spin, and some would say it wasn’t as good as the Cheltenham success, but nevertheless, it was impressive.
