Laurina blows away Grade 3 opponents Laurina (13/8 favourite) could hardly have been anymore impressive when demolishing the opposition in the Grade 3 Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle to credit Willie Mullins and Paul Townend with a Fairyhouse double. Townend cruised up on the Tramore scorer from December 14th, as things got serious in the straight in the two and a quarter miler. The Sullivan Bloodstock Limited-owned daughter of Spanish Moon then asserted from between the final two. The exciting French-bred made a slight mistake at the last on her way to an eleven length win over Alletrix. Second market choice, Crackerdancer (9/4) had endeavoured to make all, but she was headed and well held when falling at the second last. Mullins and Townend had taken the opener on this card with Kemboy and the former said: "It looked a very good performance. She's shown me that she's a nice mare at home. "In Tramore she did what she did but today looked a bit special to put away some very nice mares on that ground. "I don't think she jumped particularly well during the race either. I think her jumping will improve and she can improve again. "She's a nice mare to have. It's just experience, she was in behind with a lot of muck coming back in her face today. "Paul just reminded me that she got a fright at the first at Tramore and he thought she was just remembering that today and then she settled into jumping. "When he gave her a squeeze going to the last she opened up and ended up on top of the hurdle rather than jumping it properly but he was happy other than that. "She has size and scope as well. It looks like she'll go for the mares novice at Cheltenham. "They are probably as nice a bunch of mares as there are in Ireland. I wouldn't have any problem with her trip wise. After today she could go back to two miles." (GC & EM)
