Laurina Wait Goes On – Betfred Blog

The wait for the reappearance of Laurina goes on after Willie Mullins decided against running her in Saturday’s Grade One Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The five-year-old mare was expected to have a big 2018/19 campaign having enjoyed a remarkable debut season, winning four out of four races, including the Trull House Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Having been pencilled in for several outings before this week’s meeting at Leopardstown, the ground has continually frustrated Mullins, the French import having done her best work on Soft and Heavy ground.

However, with the going at the Dublin track expected to be Good to Yielding, Laurina has been stood down once again.

Despite a lack of action, she remains the 5/1 second favourite for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, with defending champion Buveur D’Air atop the ante-post market at 5/4.

Another Champion Hurdle contender, Samcro, is the favourite for this weekend’s two mile Grade One contest as he seeks to bounce back from defeat last time out.

Samcro is 13/8 with Betfred to return to winning ways having proven no match for Buveur D’Air when the pair clashed in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at the start of the month.

Runner-up in last year’s Champion Hurdle, Melon, makes his seasonal reappearance and is a 2/1 chance with Ruby Walsh booked to take the ride.

Morgiana Hurdle winner Sharjah (4/1) and Jessica Harrington’s Supasundae (13/2) also feature among a seven-strong field for the feature race of Saturday’s card.