News Karl Burke pleased with Classic contender Laurens following Newcastle workout

Karl Burke pleased with Classic contender Laurens following Newcastle workout

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Karl Burke's Qipco 1000 Guineas contender Laurens enjoyed a racecourse gallop at Newcastle on Wednesday morning.

The Middleham handler has stated for some time that his Fillies' Mile winner, who is owned by John Dance, would head straight for the Classic without a prep run.

She won three of her four outings at two, with her only defeat coming in a French Group Three last August, when she finished behind Freddy Head's Polydream.

"We were very happy. PJ (McDonald) rode her, she worked over seven furlongs and worked very nicely," said Burke.

"It wasn't anything overly serious, but it was a nice day out for her and a change of scenery.

"She had a nice, healthy blow and hopefully that will more or less put her spot on now. She won't be going away again now, she's done plenty.

"She's looked fantastic all winter to be fair, most of ours have, and I couldn't be happier with the way she looks. She's had a good coat on her, I'm not sure she was even clipped this winter.

"We won't mind a little bit of cut in the ground and there is some rain forecast again next week - good ground would be perfect. She certainly wouldn't want it firm, but it's unlikely to be that."

Laurens can be backed at 16-1 for the fillies' Classic at Newmarket on May 6.