Willie Mullins feels this might be the year to let Annie Power have a crack at Cheltenham‘s Stan James Champion Hurdle.
The eight-year-old finished second in the World Hurdle two years ago and was on the verge of claiming the 2015 OLBG.com Mares’ Hurdle before falling at the last, but she looks set to return to Prestbury Park next month.
The daughter of Shirocco would need to be supplemented for the Champion Hurdle and that may now happen as current champion Faugheen has been ruled out through injury.
Mullins‘ star performer has had only one race this term, a low-key victory at Punchestown last week, but the Irish handler sees no reason why that should hamper her chances at the Festival.
“I know it’s not an ideal prep, only one run before it, but I think probably plenty of horses have done that in the past when you actually think about it,” he told At The Races. “If she was to go for a Champion Hurdle, this is probably the year she should have a crack at it.