Townend: Laurina is a big tank, she feels more like a gelding than a mare

Paul Townend with Laurina, who might start off at Ascot on Saturday

Paul Townend with Laurina: the pair are four from four together over hurdlesCredit: Patrick McCann

The only man to have ridden Laurina since she arrived from France has labelled her "a tank" and says the five-year-old feels more like a gelding than a mare as she prepares for her first outing of the season.

Paul Townend was on board for all four of her hurdle victories last season, proving himself an able deputy for the injured Ruby Walsh each time, and he is convinced there is more to come from Laurina.

The five-year-old was a 4-5 chance to see off the likes of Summerville Boy and The New One in Saturday’s Unibet International Hurdle at Cheltenham, but trainer Willie Mullins has concerns about the ground and it looks like she will not make the trip to Gloucestershire.

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David JenningsDeputy Ireland editor

Published on 12 December 2018inNews

Last updated 11:15, 13 December 2018

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