Laurina set to warm up for Champion Hurdle challenge in Quevega Hurdle

Laurina is likely to make her second appearance of the season in the 2m4f Listed Coral Quevega Hurdle at Punchestown on February 20.

The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old, whose price for the Unibet Champion Hurdle varies from 7-2 to 6-1, had been dual winner Buveur D'Air's nearest rival in the Champion Hurdle market before the weekend, but fellow mare Apple's Jade was promoted to second favourite off the back of her sensational 16-length triumph in the Irish Champion Hurdle.

As with Apple's Jade, Laurina's connections are leaning towards taking on Buveur D'Air at Cheltenham next month, rather than going for the easier option of the OLBG Mares' Hurdle.

Mullins said: "There are a few races Laurina could run in but the Punchestown race is the most likely. At this stage it looks as if she will run in the Champion Hurdle, rather than in the Grade 1 mares' race at Cheltenham."

According to Mullins, the Mares' Hurdle at the festival will again be the target for Benie Des Dieux, who won the race last year, when Apple's Jade was third.

The eight-year-old has not run this season but will reappear in either the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park a week on Saturday or the Ladbrokes Ireland Boyne Hurdle at Navan the following day.

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