Three Weekend Eyecatchers - 07/01/2019

Willie Mullins' superstar mare Laurina landed the Unibet Listed Mares Hurdle at Sandown on her return to the track, in a match-up against the Noel Williams-trained Sensulano.

Laurina was unchallenged and untouched the whole way round, and jumped superbly well in conditions that proved tough for the juveniles earlier on in the day.

She made it five out of five and maintains her perfect record over hurdles, after scoring by almost fifty lengths on a soft surface she had been crying out for all season.

It was not hard for her at all, but was great to finally see her back, and looks a serious Champion Hurdle contender in the making.

Master Dino propelled himself to the summit of the betting for the JLT Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, after scoring in an intriguing novices chase at Plumpton on Sunday.

A dual winner in France - and also a Champion 4yo hurdler, the now 5yo looks a smart prospect for trainer Guillaume Macaire over fences going forward, and would receive a Plumpton bonus should he strike in March.

Daryl Jacob produced Master Dino up the straight, gradually wearing down the Gary Moore-trained Knocknanuss, and going on to assert up the run in; providing Macaire's first winner in the UK since 2012 for just over six years.

Battleoverdoyen continued his perfect record by landing the Grade One feature at Naas on Sunday, for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy.

Still appearing to look a big-baby, he won readily in the Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle, in what looked a top contest to call beforehand.

But with Come To Me and Tornado Flyer both disappointing for Willie Mullins, it was left for the 6yo gelding to take in good style, and now looks a leading candidate for the either the Supreme or the Ballymore at Cheltenham in March.