Laurets d’Estruval impresses with facile Thurles triumph
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Thu 5 Feb 2026
Laurets d’Estruval enhanced his reputation after keeping his rivals at bay to complete a double for trainer Willie Mullins at Thurles.
The French recruit came second on his sole run for his previous trainer on home soil before finishing as a runner-up on his debut for the Closutton powerhouse at Limerick on Boxing Day.
The five-year-old took control of two-mile contest here before bursting clear after the final hurdle to seal the convincing win by 13 lengths, justifying his 30-100 favourite status as Jet To Monte Carlo and Playtime came home in second and third respectively.
Jockey Paul Townend was impressed by Laurets d’Estruval’s display and believes his next assignment will be at the Cheltenham Festival, where he holds entries in the Supreme, Turners and Albert Barlett Novices’ Hurdles.
“That was smashing, he had a run in France and he improved plenty from his first run in Ireland,” Townend said. “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 forwards hugely from his first run this season. That was still a decent run, when he got tired, and he built on that.
“He’ll definitely be on the boat for Cheltenham.”
Salvator Mundi coasted to his maiden chase victory in the opening Horse & Jockey Beginners Chase on Thursday.
The six-year-old was a classy hurdler who went on to win the Grade One TrustATrader Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree last April, but he was still awaiting his first win over fences.
He was beaten when a short-priced favourite on his debut here in November before finishing in midfield during the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Boxing Day.
Salvator Mundi was installed as the 1-7 favourite once again and he did not disappoint as he made all in a 28-length victory over stablemates Fishery Lane and Dr Eggman. Paddy Power have him priced at 20-1 for the Arkle at Prestbury Park.
“He got turned over at short odds here previously on his first run over fences and while I didn’t ride him when he was in deeper waters at Leopardstown afterwards, I thought he was a bit disappointing,” Townend said.
“He had a straightforward task today and I thought he jumped really well and enjoyed himself. He took on his fences really nicely and stayed going well on testing ground. You couldn’t knock him today.”
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