Annie stands ground for World Annie Power remains in contention for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham next week. Runner-up behind More Of That 12 months ago, the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old is expected to instead take on her own sex in Tuesday's OLBG Mares' Hurdle. She is among 22 confirmations for the stayers' championship, however, in which Mullins is still likely to be represented as he has also left in Abbyssial, Briar Hill, Pont Alexandre, Un Atout and Zaidpour. Noel Meade's Monksland, the Tony Martin-trained Dedigout, Jessica Harrington's Jetson and Lieutenant Colonel from Sandra Hughes's yard are other contenders from Ireland. Saphir Du Rheu and Zarkandar form a formidable twin assault for British champion trainer Paul Nicholls, who won the race four times with the legendary Big Buck's. Former Champion Hurdle hero Rock On Ruby and last year's Coral Cup victor Whisper are also on the list.
