Favourite Laurina to sidestep Coral Hurdle due to Ascot ground concerns

Laurina, favourite for the Coral Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday, will miss the race, according to her trainer Willie Mullins.

Speaking on Thursday evening Mullins said: "We've decided not to send Laurina to Ascot because of the dry forecast. She's a big mare and with the ground likely to dry out we think it best to wait a bit longer before giving her her first run of the season."

Laurina was unbeaten in four starts over hurdles last season when she landed the Grade 2 Trull House Stud Mares' Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival by 18 lengths and the Grade 1 Irish Stallion Farms Mares Novice Hurdle by eight and a half lengths at the Fairyhouse Easter festival.

Watch Laurina win at the Cheltenham Festival

Her progress this season will determine whether the five-year-old's Cheltenham target will be the Unibet Champion Hurdle or the OLBG Mares' Hurdle.

The Sullivan Bloodstock-owned mare holds an entry in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse a week on Sunday.

Paddy Power make We Have A Dream 5-4 favourite and then bet 11-8 If The Cap Fits, 9-2 Call Me Lord.

The ground at Ascot on Thursday was good, good to soft in places. The possibility of showers is forecast from Friday evening onwards.

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