Annie Power is the new favourite for next month’s Stan James Champion Hurdle following her comeback victory in Punchestown yesterday and news that reigning champion Faugheen has been ruled out of the race due to a suspensory injury.

The Colm Murphy-trained Rye Martini continued the impressive early season form being enjoyed by Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud when making a successful racecourse debut in the opening maiden hurdle on yesterday’s truncated card at Tipperary.