Annie Power strengthened her big-race claims when easing to an impressive success on her rain-soaked Cheltenham reconnaissance mission in the Dornan Engineering Hurdle yesterday.
Prominent in the ante-post markets on the Champion Hurdle and the World Hurdle, the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old was running over an extended two and a half miles having been successful at just short of that trip at Ascot on her seasonal reappearance.
Like at Ascot her main market rival was the Paul Nicholls-trained Zarkandar, with the Ditcheat trainer also fielding Empire Levant.
With just three runners, Ruby Walsh was content to sit behind the pace-setting grey Empire Levant before jumping two out upsides. Empire Levant weakened coming down the hill, where 2/5 favourite Annie Power took over.
Slight mistake
Zarkandar tried to go with Walsh's mount but despite a slight mistake at the final flight, Annie Power pulled a ready eight lengths clear up the hill to extend her unbeaten record to nine from nine.
Walsh said: “She’s a very good mare, and was entitled to improve from her first run back at Ascot.
“She handled the ground and jumped very well, apart from a minor hiccup at the last. “Although this ground isn’t easy on the eye, it’s a pleasure to ride in and she appeared to enjoy it.”
Paddy Power left the winner unchanged at 6/1 for the World Hurdle and cut her to 10/1 from 12/1 for the Champion Hurdle.
However, Walsh would not be drawn on a likely target for Annie Power back at Cheltenham in March. He said: “This trip is not a bother for her, but where she will run at the Festival is a decision for Willie and Willie only.”
Oscar Whisky strengthened his claims for what will probably be a tilt at the Jewson Novices’ Chase at the Festival with a clear-cut defeat of Taquin Du Seuil in the Cheltenham Pony Club Raceday Novices’ Chase.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel confirmed himself a smart prospect with victory in the New Year Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse yesterday.
Running in the Gigginstown House Stud colours and ridden by Bryan Cooper, who has been strongly linked with the number one role in the maroon and white silks after Davy Russell’s retainer came to an end, the five-year-old was regaining winning ways after being beaten by the potentially top-notch Vautour at Navan last month.
Cooper brought the Dessie Hughes-trained five-year-old to challenge To Choose for the lead on the turn for home.
Pulled clear
Jumping the second-last just in front, Lieutenant Colonel pulled clear and put in a fine leap at the final flight to go and win by 14 lengths.
It was a particularly notable success for trainer Dessie Hughes, who saddled his first winner in this race in 1980 in the shape of Church Island, which he rode himself.
Hughes said of the even-money favourite: “He improved from Navan and looks a decent horse. He looks a stayer and is a great jumper. The majority of Gigginstown horses jump exceptionally well.
“He should be able to compete in a few of the novices after that, and the horse that beat him in Navan must be a fair horse.”
