Wednesday 20 February 2019 15:23, UK
Laurina teed herself up for a crack at the Champion Hurdle with a smooth display in the Smart Money's On Coral Quevega Mares Hurdle at Punchestown.
Willie Mullins' six-year-old is now unbeaten in six starts since her move from France, and she already has a Cheltenham Festival win under her belt.
With Apple's Jade already confirmed as going for the Champion Hurdle, Laurina looks another live danger to current holder Buveur D'Air - who has won the last two renewals.
Ruby Walsh was happy to take a lead off stablemate Stormy Ireland until just before the turn for home.
With Laurina's stamina not in any doubt, the two-and-a-half-mile trip was never going to stretch her, and Walsh made an early bid for home.
The 30-100 favourite was not hard pressed to beat her stable companion by six lengths, which in effect was her first race of the season - given on her reappearance at Sandown she only had to beat one rival.
Walsh said: "She had to be better today - Sandown was a canter round, and Stormy Ireland is a fair little filly in her own right.
"She jumped well in the main, bar one mistake when she was a little bit too relaxed- but once I got her racing at the third last, she was very good."
He is confident Laurina has earned her place in next month's big race.
"She needed that run. It worked for (2016 Champion Hurdle winner) Annie Power winning this, and Limini and Apple's Jade have used it too.
"You wouldn't want to race her over two miles on that (inner) track, because it's very tight. But I'm not worried about going down in trip - I can't think of too many doubtful stayers that won champion hurdles.
"I don't know if she can win it - it will be a huge step up again, but she's earned a crack at it. Apple's Jade and Buveur D'Air are two very good horses."