RULE OF LAU
Mare takes Quevega verdict and turns sight on Cheltenham
THE Willie Mullins-trained Laurina proved herself on course for a mouth-watering clash with Buveur D’air and Apple’s Jade in the Unibet Champion Hurdle with a smooth success in the Coral Quevega Hurdle in Punchestown yesterday. The classy, six-year-old mare is unbeaten in six starts since arriving in Closutton. And she’s a 7/2 chance to land hurdling’s greatest prize at Cheltenham on March 12.
Ridden by Ruby Walsh, 30/100 favourite Laurina jumped past stable-companion Stormy Ireland at the second last before beating that rival by six lengths.
Mullins was satisfied with the display, explaining: “Like all of ours, she got her flu jab last week and missed a week’s training. She did everything she could do today and Ruby said she needed it badly. He said she missed a couple of hurdles, because she was a bit too relaxed, but came alive from the third last and then idled in front.
“We’ll have to sharpen her up a bit now. And I’d imagine she’ll be going for the Champion Hurdle.”
On a day when Mullins also saddled Allez Dancer (Paul Townend) to land the opening maiden hurdle, the champion trainer held a pre-cheltenham Press Day at Closutton, where he confirmed novice chaser and Arkle hope Cilaos Emery will miss the Festival due to a ligament injury.
Mullins intends mounting a four-strong challenge on the Bulmers Gold Cup, a race he has yet to win, having saddled the runner-up on six occasions.
Kemboy, Bellshill, Invitation Only and Al Boum Photo will all take their chances in the Friday feature, with Un De Sceaux, successful in 2017 and runner-up last year, set for another crack at the Ryanair.
Star mare Laurina will be joined by Sharjah and last year’s runner-up Melon in the Unibet Champion Hurdle.
And Mullins confirmed four-year-old Blue Sari, bought by J P Mcmanus since making an impressive debut in Gowran Park last month, will be his only runner in the Weatherbys Champion
Bumper.
Noel Meade took the training honours with a treble in Punchestown yesterday, scoring with Cap York (in the Pertemps Qualfier), The Caddy Rose and Sellarbridge. The first two were partnered by stable-jockey Sean Flanagan.
Meanwhile, in Thurles today, the Mullins-trained Real Steel is napped to land the opening rated Chase, easily the most interesting contest on the card, and book his ticket to the JLT at Cheltenham
A last fence faller on his chase debut at Leopardstown, he then won well at Fairyhouse and is preferred to Jessica Harrington’s Jett, whose two chase wins have been achieved over this course and distance – including this race last year.