Annie Power favourite for Champion Hurdle after comeback win

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.

Off the track since the Punchestown Festival last year, Annie Power was sent off at 1/20 to see off two clearly inferior rivals in the Punchestown.com Mares Hurdle and she did so with the minimum of fuss, making all to initiate a treble for Ruby Walsh and a double for her trainer Willie Mullins.

Wearing a hood in public for the first time, but clearly fresh for her return to action, Annie Power dictated the pace, enjoyed a near twenty lengths lead turning to the second last flight and won, hard held, by six and a half from Legacy Gold, which got the better of a battle with Melbourne Lady for second spot.