Buveur D’Air’s defeat at the Christmas Hurdle has shattered the aura of invincibility around the horse ahead of Cheltenham Festival and his charge for a third Champion Hurdle crown. Laurina will be one of the competitors that will be aiming to knock the reigning champion out of the winners’ circle at the event and Willie Mullins’ charge has more than enough talent to achieve the feat.
The bay mare has won all five of her races, including the Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival last season. Outside of Buveur D’Air, Laurina is the horse considered the best option for the Champion Hurdle crown, although there are many talented competitors in the field. Due to the imperious nature of Buveur D’Air’s performances at the field, it will be worth considering an option outside of the French horse for betting at the event, especially with offers available ahead of the Festival.
Laurina is one of the horses that provide value at odds of 7/2 with bet365 and Paddy Power. Both bookmakers offer the no-run, no-bet security for Cheltenham Festival betting, which guarantees the starting price even if a bettor has taken a shorter value on the ante-post betting odds. There is plenty of time for the prices to shift before the race, depending on the performances of horses on the field or a late decision to pull a particular competitor out of the fray.
Dominant Performances
Mullins appears to have targeted the Champion Hurdle and will be hopeful that the bay mare can break the stranglehold that Buveur D’Air has handed Nicky Henderson on the race. Laurina will give her trainer plenty of confidence given the dominance that she has shown in her brief racing career. The six-year-old began life in the National Hunt last season and put forward brilliant performances in her opening two races, winning both events by over 10 lengths.
Mullins’ charge arrived at Cheltenham Festival for the Trull House Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and was considered the overwhelming favourite for the crown. With Paul Townend in the saddle, she was able to maintain her outstanding form, cruising to a comfortable victory by 18 lengths ahead of her compatriot Cap Soleil. Laurina ended her debut term with another confident display at the EBF Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final. On this occasion, a slight mistake halted her charge in the middle stretch of the race but the French horse was able to regain her rhythm to take the lead before the straight, closing out the victory by eight-and-a-half lengths.
Challenges Ahead
Laurina was held out of the major events early in the 2018/19 season by Mullins. She made her first appearance of the campaign in the Mares’ Hurdle at Sandown Park in the first week of January. In a limited field with only one other competitor – Sensulano – Laurina dominated the action to win by 48 lengths without having to break out of first gear. The six-year-old has the quality to make an impact in the Champion Hurdle but it will be interesting to see whether Mullins is able to judge the amount race time to give his charge to perfection. Only a flawless performance and decision from horse, jockey and trainer may be enough to see off Buveur D’Air.
