Laurina all set for final Cheltenham prep in Quevega Hurdle

Star mare Laurina will attempt to enhance her Unibet Champion Hurdle credentials when she makes her second start of the season at Punchestown on Wednesday in the Listed 2m4f Quevega Mares Hurdle (2.40).

The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old has only been seen on the racecourse once this term, when cantering to a 48-length success in a match race in Sandown's Listed Unibet Mares Hurdle last month. However, she is still a general 7-2 shot for the feature event on day one of the Cheltenham Festival.

The Champion Hurdle has long been mooted as the primary target for Laurina, who remains unbeaten since joining Mullins following four emphatic wins against her own sex last season.

However, with fellow mare Apple's Jade also engaged, the door could be open for a tilt at the OLGB Mares' Hurdle – for which she is the 5-4 second favourite.

Laurina heads a seven-strong field at Punchestown, also featuring her talented stablemates Stormy Ireland and Good Thyne Tara as well as the Joseph O'Brien-trained Slowmotion.

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