Big splash from Laurina on chasing bow to make it 3 for Closutton Her sister Immortality recently showed her prowess over larger obstacles with a point-to-point win and today Champion Hurdle fourth placer Laurina got off to an impressive start over fences at Gowran. In this Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase Laurina brought up a treble at the County Kilkenny venue for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend, following on from Franco De Port and Getabird earlier. The betting told you all you needed to know in advance of the two and a half miler with Laurina going off a 3/10 chance to beat last season’s star staying novice hurdler Minella Indo (3/1). Both sets of connections will be more than content with what they saw but on this occasion the successful Spanish Moon mare left Minella Indo for dead from between the last two to score by eight lengths. “That was a very good first run over fences. She showed a good bit of toe albeit against a three-mile horse," said Mullins. “She is one to look forward to with the long range plan probably the mares chase at Cheltenham in 2021! “She’s the type of mare you look for to go chasing with. She’s a fine big mare that can take fences in her stride. She’s one that we are excited about. “I wouldn’t mind going back to two miles but Paul thought that trip is probably what she wants. She’s adaptable in trip and can go out in distance as well but the way she jumps fences she could come back in trip. “The obvious target would be the (Grade 1 2m3f novice) race in Limerick but I think Faugheen might be going there. “There may be a race for mares that we could look at even a race not against novices.” Paddy Power go 5/1 favourite (from 8/1) for the Arkle about Laurina. (AM & EM)
