Laurina different class for record breaking Mullins

Laurina looked different class as she toyed with the opposition to run out an impressive winner of the Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Willie Mullins has now won all three runnings of this race and the 4-7 favourite lived up to her reputation as she pulled away from the rest of the field between the last two flights.

Ridden by Paul Townend, who like Mullins was completing a double after the victory of Penhill in the Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle, Laurina crossed the line 18 lengths clear of Cap Soleil Champayne Lady was a short head away in third, and the pacesetting Maria's Benefit fourth.

Mullins, becoming the winning-most trainer in Festival history with 61 victories, said: "She's a fine, big mare. If there was ever going to be a mares' chase in Cheltenham, she's the type of horse you'd want for it.

"Her two runs at home have been very good, but to do that against the best in the British Isles is unbelievable.

"There's a Grade One in Fairyhouse at Easter. If she recovers we might go for that."

He added: "We've always thought this mare was very decent. There was me thinking that Footpad was the best (chance) of the week!

"She looks good. That is against mares, but Footpad did it in a Grade One. She would be better than Limini, and Let's Dance hasn't gone on. This mare has much more size and scope.

"She looked something special there."

Townend said: "This is a special mare. She's a proper one.

"We've always liked her at home. If she had been beaten I'd have been disappointed in myself.

"She's improving all the time."

Mullins expressed deep pride after Laurina's triumph saw him surpass Nicky Henderson's mark of 60 winners to become the winning-most trainer in Festival history.

He secured a first Festival victory as a trainer when Tourist Attraction claimed top honours in the 1995 Supreme Novices' Hurdle and r eacting to his 61st, said: "When you start training in a base in Ireland, you are thinking to yourself 'if I get one Cheltenham winner that will be it', so I've never dreamt of being the winning-most trainer. It is a complete surprise.

"It is a huge thank you to my staff and owners that have given us that record, as without them I wouldn't be in this position.

"I'm lucky and delighted."