Jonjo O’Neill highlights task facing Annie Power

As history suggests, it takes a mare of outstanding quality to win the Champion Hurdle.

Since World War II, just two members of the fairer sex have managed to emerge triumphant in the two-mile blue riband at Cheltenham.

In 1994 the admirable Flakey Dove held off the late charge of Oh So Risky, while 10 years earlier the mighty Dawn Run claimed the crown in another pulsating finish.