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.

With defending champion Faugheen sidelined through injury it has left the door open for a new name to join those on the race’s roll of honour.

Topping those is Annie Power, who like Faugheen, is owned by Rich Ricci and trained by Willie Mullins.

Having been aboard Dawn Run all those years ago Jonjo O’Neill is a man that knows exactly what is required to beat the boys.

With the eight-year-old yet to win at the Festival having finished second in the 2014 World Hurdle before dramatically tipping up 12 months ago with the Mares Hurdle’ at her mercy, O’Neill feels only a performance similar to the heroics of Dawn Run will suffice.

He said: “I’ve only seen the same as everyone else has, but she looks a great mare and I would love to have her in the yard so it is lucky for Willie Mullins.

“She gets the weight allowance, but it all depends what turns up on the day as regards to the ground and if she is in the best form she can be in.

“It is hard to judge and compare from something more than 30 years ago. Dawn Run was very special.

“She ran like a gelding and not like a mare — she was this massive big thing at 16.2 hands. The bottom line is she has got to be as good as Dawn Run to do it.”

Victory aboard Dawn Run was the second — and final — time O’Neill was to win the extended two-mile prize during a glittering career in the saddle after steering Sea Pigeon to the first of his two victories in 1980.

While it could be expected that both horses had their similarities given their ability to triumph at the biggest meeting of them all, that was far from the case according to O’Neill.

He said: “I was lucky enough to ride Sea Pigeon. He was a different machine altogether.

“He had lots of pace and speed. It was like pressing buttons on him, whereas she could be hard work.”