Spectacular showdown: Laurina could face Samcro at Punchestown after classy win

A tantalising clash between Samcro and Laurina at Punchestown this month edged a step closer after the star Willie Mullins-trained mare sauntered to another serene success in the Grade 1 Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final at Fairyhouse on Easter Sunday.

Mullins confirmed that his magnificent mare will next head to the County Kildare track for one of the novice hurdles after the odds-on favourite trounced Lackaneen Leader and Alletrix, winning on the bridle by eight and a half lengths.

Of course there are a few options to choose from during the five-day festival but she seems best over two miles-plus, as does Samcro, so the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle could see the star duo lock horns.

"If all is well we'll go on to Punchestown with her," said Mullins. "We will see how she comes out of the race. That's good to get her Grade 1 there so I'm very pleased.

Watch: Laurina oozes class as she glides to Grade 1 victory at Fairyhouse

"She could go for a novice race at Punchestown. The mares' race is an open race which would be tough. I'm going to leave it open and I wouldn’t be worried about trip. She could go out to three miles easily and has enough ability to do two miles."

We learned little more about Laurina here than we knew already as she destroyed her own sex once again, just like she did in the mares' novice hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Ladies man: Paul Townend gives Laurina a pat after winning her first Grade 1Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The winning margin wasn't as far as it was at Cheltenham but the manner of victory was just as emphatic and Paul Townend certainly enjoyed the experience.

"She is a pleasure to ride. You can put her anywhere, do anything with her and she is happy no matter what. That is what makes her so good. She makes things very easy for me," Townend said.

Laurina glides in at Cheltenham to send Mullins to top of all-time festival trainers' list

Townend did not have to move a muscle as Laurina stretched eight and a half lengths clear of Lackaneen Leader, with Alletrix in third.

Samcro: could face Laurina at PunchestownCredit: Patrick McCann

Two of Laurina's stablemates both came down as Cut The Mustard fell with a mile to run and Redhotfillypeppers crashed out under David Dunsdon when in front four from home.

Laurina secured a fourth victory in six runnings of the race for the Mullins stable and scored at shorter odds than subsequent Champion Hurdle winner Annie Power, who won at 4-11 in 2013.

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