ANNIE POWER HAS won the 2016 Cheltenham Champion Hurdle under Ruby Walsh.
A year after falling at the last when having the Mares’ Hurdle at her mercy, Annie Power became the first mare in 22 years to the claim the first day’s feature race when storming to victory.
The 5/2 favourite made the running throughout and quickened three from home to put her gelding rivals to the sword with My Tent Or Yours (10/1) and Nichols Canyon (15/2) trailing home in second and third.
It’s a third Champion Hurdle in four years for trainer Willie Mullins who lost both Faugheen and Arctic Fire to injury before the festival.
Speaking to Channel 4 after the race Mullins admitted that the eight-year-old exceeded even his expectations.
“It was a huge performance. I think he Ruby has been watching videos of Dawn Run the last few days.”
More to follow…
