Annie Power leads mares’ hurdle Cheltenham hopefuls

Annie Power tops a list of 48 entries for the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle which will be run as a Grade One contest for the first time at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

Her trainer Willie Mullins saddled Quevega to win the race for the last six years and Annie Power is even-money favourite with most bookmakers to pick up the baton and land the contest once again for the Irish champion trainer.

She is also entered in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, in which she finished second last year, but connections have indicated the mares’ event is the favoured option.