Annie Power clears the last well ahead in Punchestown© Photo Healy Racing
Annie Power retained the Grade One mares champion hurdle over two and a quarter miles at Punchestown when making all for a decisive 10 lengths success.
She enjoyed herself out in front and went clear before the last as her six rivals all came off the bridle in trying to keep up with her. Stablemate Analifet (10/1) made a bad error at the second last but kept on to chase her home without ever threatening.
Willie Mullins said of the 2/9 favourite: "She did everything we thought. I thought Analifet ran a fantastic race considering she made a bad take at the second last. Ruby wasn't going to let her (Annie Power) get low at the last. He just angled her out and she popped it.
"She won convincingly. We could go to France or put her away. We'll have a word with the owner.
"Her first few bits of work after her fall at Cheltenham I was very concerned that she didn't work well. I thought she was afraid to let herself down. It took her until her third bit of work after Cheltenham to stretch out a bit. The last bit of work she was definitely back to herself and I was keen to bring her here.
"She has size and scope and pedigree and a lovely temperament."
Ruby Walsh said: "Her work hadn't been great since she fell in Cheltenham. I rode her myself the other morning, she's just got a bit laid-back at home and you have to really make her work now at home.
"She was finishing out her work really well so that's why we brought her. I think she's a great mare. She jumped super today and was just unlucky in Cheltenham."
This was Willie Mullins' 14th winner at this year's festival.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
