Cheltenham 2016: Annie Power claims emotional Champion Hurdle victory

Annie Power made it third time lucky at the Cheltenham Festival as she romped home in the Stan James Champion Hurdle.

A dramatic last-flight faller in the Mares’ Hurdle 12 months ago and second in the World Hurdle in 2014, she justified being supplemented for the two-mile showpiece.

The decision was made due an injury to last year's winner Faugheen for the same connections of owner Rich Ricci, trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh.

Annie Power (5-2 favourite) pulled her way to the front at the first obstacle and went on to dictate affairs, becoming only the fourth mare to win the Champion Hurdle and the first since Flakey Dove in 1994.

My Tent Or Yours (10-1) put in a strong bid in his first race for 703 days, running a gallant race to take the runner-up spot, four and a half lengths behind the winner.

Nichols Canyon (15-2) was a head back in third to give Mullins a one-three.

Walsh said: “She deserved it. She’s a great mare. It was a great performance, she’s just a cracking mare.

“I said I’m going to ride her like Dawn Run (winner in 1984), jump out and go and if they catch me, they catch me.

“I wanted to put it to them as far out as I could, she quickened when I gave her a kick and she galloped all the way to the line.

“I knew halfway up the run-in she would win, it was brilliant — a great feeling.

“It was a brave call (to run) and it’s great to be on her back.”

Mullins said: “I don’t know how good she is, but she’s a hell of a horse. I thought she could win, but I didn’t think she could do it like that, coming off that preparation (just one race since last May).

“It was a huge performance. I think Ruby’s been watching videos of Dawn Run over the last 48 hours. That (make the running) is what he wanted to do and it’s all worked out.

“She’s exceeded all my expectations.”