Laurets 'on the boat' after impressive Thurles win Laurets D’estruval stretched clear in fine style in the closing stages of the Holycross Maiden Hurdle at Thurles, giving Willie Mullins and Paul Townend a double on the card. The Saint des Saints gelding had been runner-up on both starts to date, most recently chasing home Starting Fifteen on his stable debut at Limerick over Christmas. He disputed in the two-miler today, with Jet To Monte Carlo, before kicking on from that rival over the second last. The 30/100 shot asserted running down to the last and went on to record a cosy 13 length success. "That was smashing, he had a run in France and he improved plenty from his first run in Ireland,” said Townend. “He jumped impeccably, quickened up when I wanted him to and he hit the line strong. He jig-jogged back in, so I'm delighted with him. "He is a smashing horse and, like most of ours have, he stepped forward hugely from his first run this season. That was still a decent run, when he got tired, and built on that. "He'll definitely be on the boat for Cheltenham." (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
