Laurina Sets Dead Aim On Quevega Hurdle

Champion Hurdle underdog Laurina will look to have her final preparation run before the big Grade 1 on the Tuesday of the festival.

Willie Mullins superstar mare will look to dominate a decent field of runners in the Listed 2m4f Quevega Mares Hurdle (2.40) which should see her undergo her hardest test of the season.

The six year old has only been seen once this season in what has had to be a patient campaign for the exciting hurdler.

She was unleashed at Sandown back in January in what was her first appearance of the season and in what was supposed to be a four-runner field was whittled down to, two and she went on to take the contest by 48 lengths.

This was in a Listed contest and after this dominating performance her price was cut from 5/1 to 3/1 for the Champion Hurdle which saw her second favourite.

Credit Racing TV

She has been constantly waiting for some cut in the ground or a going description that had soft in it and at Punchestown on Wednesday she will be racing on good, good to yielding in places.

Mullins has specified for the whole season that the Champion Hurdle was the target for this horse but she still does hold an entry in the Mares Hurdle and with Gigginstown and Apple's Jade now switching their star mare to the Champion Hurdle, Mullins could decide to change his mind.

Apple's Jade had three entries for the festival and after his explosive performance in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, showing how good she was over two miles his connections and trainers have decided to put him in the feature and she is now the new second favourite at 9/4.

Laurina as well as her rival from the Gigginstown yard will be taking on the boys and be getting that weight allowance that could be the difference running up the hill on the first day of the festival.

Laurina is now the third favourite for the Grade 1 contest at 4/1 and 7/2 in places but if performing to her true standard on Wednesday and beating the field comfortably she will be backed into shorter.

Mullins could still put her in the Mares Hurdle on the Tuesday of the festival but we will know more after tomorrow.

Laurina will head the seven-strong field at Punchestown which includes stablemates Stormy Ireland and Good Thyne Tara as well as the Joseph O'Brien trained Slowmotion.