Cheltenham Festival ‘likely’ for Annie Power

Trainer Willie Mullins has revealed that Annie Power is set to return to action in the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Annie Power is also in contention for the Stan James Champion Hurdle and the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, where she lost her unbeaten record to More Of That last season.

The seven-year-old has been hindered by a leg problem which forced her to pull out of the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse in November.

The Mullins-trained charge has not run competitively since last May, when she won the Grade One Mares’ Champion Hurdle by seven lengths, although the County Carlow handler believes she is on course for a return.

Mullins said: “Annie is fine and back riding out, and the mares’ (hurdle) looks the most likely race for her.”