Laurina among classy cast for International Hurdle at Cheltenham

Laurina could return to the scene of her impressive Mares Novices' Hurdle victory in March after she featured among the 11 entries for Saturday's Unibet International Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old, who ran out an 18-length winner at the festival before adding a second Grade 1 prize at Fairyhouse, has been installed even-money favourite by Coral for the Grade 2, with Supreme Novices' winner Summerville Boy her nearest rival at 4-1.

The Nicky Henderson-trained Brain Power, runner-up in the Racing Post Arkle, is set to revert to hurdles in the 2m1f race, which has also attracted three-time winner The New One. Call Me Lord, Silver Streak, We Have A Dream, Vision Des Flos, Western Ryder and Unison are other possibles.

Brain Power: set to revert to hurdles at Cheltenham on SaturdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Henderson said: "Brain Power and We Have A Dream [Daryl Jacob] will run but we all have Laurina to beat. Brain Power has been disappointing over fences as he works like a good horse. Michael Buckley [owner] said to try him back over hurdles in cheekpieces. So we are and Nico [de Boinville] will ride.

"I put Call Me Lord in when it reopened but he is so much better going right-handed we might keep him for the Long Walk the following week."

Summerville Boy finished a remote fourth to Buveur D'Air on his comeback in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on December 1.

Coral's Dave Stevens said: "Although Buveur D'Air is already odds-on for the Champion Hurdle, Laurina is his closest rival in the ante-post betting.

"If she can justify short-priced favouritism in what could be a high-class International Hurdle, she will only cement that position in the Cheltenham market."

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