It was another win for Willie Mullins' six-year-old at Punchestown.
Laurina justified her 3/10 pre-race odds by handily winning the Quevega Hurdle at Punchestown, and punters have backed her to run in the Champion Hurdle next month, rather than the Mares Hurdle.
A six-length triumph over Stormy Ireland saw her unbeaten run under Willie Mullins continue, with those six wins totalling a combined winning distance of 106.5 lengths.
78% of bets in the Champion Hurdle market since the race have gone on Laurina, compared to just 41% of bets in the Mares Hurdle market.
A best price of 4/1 is available for the former, with a fascinating duel against Apples Jade and Buveur D’Air potentially in the offing next month.
Her Mares Hurdle odds are 4/1 best price, but plenty of interest has been shown in Benie Des Dieux, the current market favourite who is 15/8 and has racked up 35% of bets in the same time.
Willie Mullins has said that his Cheltenham stable for this year is ‘weaker than other years’, but will surely have been impressed with the six-year-old’s performance this afternoon, particularly as she had to be given a flu jab a few days ago.
Oddschecker spokesman George Elek: “It will be all systems go for the Champion Hurdle now for Laurina, with those who have backed her for the Mares without NRNB surely now sweating after the cosy manner of victory. If she does take on Buveur D'Air and Apples Jade in the Champion, it looks to be one of the races of the Festival.”
