"Laurina will win the Mares' Novices' Hurdle" was the forthright view of David Casey at a packed Europa Hotel, Belfast for the annual Sean Graham/The Irish News-sponsored Cheltenham preview night on Monday.

Casey, assistant trainer to Willie Mullins, joined trainers Gordon Elliott and Neil Mulholland, ITV commentator Richard Hoiles, journalist Mark Winstanley and bookmaker brothers Brian and Ronan Graham on a panel chaired by Gary O'Brien from At The Races.