Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
A LAUR-A QUALITY
Classy mare is ready to open her chasing account
TRUST Laurina to record her first Graded 1 success over fences in the Racing Post Novice Chase, feature of the St Stephen’s Day action at Leopardstown.
It’s a case of quality rather than quantity in Thursday’s showpiece as Laurina, a Grade 1-winning hurdler and successful on her chasing bow at Gowran Park, must face Fakir D’oudairies and Notebook, both unbeaten over fences.
Laurina is a high-class mare and took well to her new role when beating Minella Indo at
Gowran Park.
She jumped soundly, warming to her task as the race developed and she’ll need to be fluent here, with loads of pace guaranteed.
Four-year-old Fakir D’oudairies (inset) impressed with his jumping when beating Melon in Navan and followed up in the Grade 1 Drinmore at Fairyhouse, when left clear by the exit of Samcro at the second last.
Laurina’s stable-companion Royal Rendezvous started over fences with a win in Thurles and is another free-going type.
And Henry de Bromhead, already successful twice as a chaser, including a Grade 2 at Punchestown (beating Moon Over Germany) and clearly a better chaser than hurdler, should not be under-estimated.
In a race which looks sure to be run at a blistering pace, I expect Laurina and Paul Townend to sweep past the trail-blazers between the last two fences.
Chief supporting race is the Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle, in which Mark Walsh, significantly, takes the ride on Aramax, successful over hurdles for Guillaume Macaire in France and making his Irish debut for Gordon Elliott and JP Mcmanus.
On local form, the Mcmanus-owned A Wave Of The Sea and very impressive Punchestown winner Aspire Tower, representing Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore, set the standard.
But I’ll stick with Joseph O’brien’s charge, despite his failure to concede 4lb to stable-companion Cerberus in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse last time. This greater test of stamina will suit and, with JJ Slevin, who partnered him to a 20 lengths win at Down Royal, back on board, he should be tough to beat.
The O’brien-trained, 130-rated Entoucas, outpointed by Thatsy in Navan last time, sets the standard in the Thorntons Recycling Maiden Hurdle.
And Tony Martin’s The Mouse Doctor, successful off 75 at Dundalk recently, might take advantage of his attractive mark in the Holden Plante Rentals Novice Handicap Hurdle.