Review punchestown 17th Feb

Annie Power barely broke sweat as she made a winning return in the punchestown.com Mares Hurdle.

Having her first race since scoring at the Punchestown Festival in May, Willie Mullins' charge was sent off 1-20 against two vastly inferior rivals on ratings and Ruby Walsh took no chances by sending her straight to the lead.

She never saw another rival and was eased down to score by six and a half lengths from Ledgacy Gold, who beat Melbourne Lady for the silver medal.

Mullins and Walsh quickly followed up with Bellow Mome (4-1) in the Festival Party Pack From 25 Euro Maiden Hurdle.

The was making only his second start for the yard as he showed a fine attitude to hold the late challenge of Lip Service by half a length.

Walsh made it three out of three when justifying 11-10 favouritism on the Gordon Elliott-trained Robin Thyme in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners E.B.F. Maiden Hurdle.

The front-running winner was challenged by Long Way Back before the home turn but answered the question in fine style and pulled seven lengths clear to give Elliott his 100th winner of the season.

There was another Walsh in the winner's enclosure in the Festival Free Upgrade Offer Ends Soon Handicap Hurdle, this time jockey Mark who guided That's A Wrap to a three-length triumph.

The winner moved into contention turning for home and jumped the last together with Coole Craft and runner-up Tyrone Tiger, before asserting on the run to the line.

Ballybrowney Ella (13-2) and Midnight Theatre did battle all the way to the line in the Festival Any Day Flexi Ticket Mares Maiden Hurdle, with the former prevailing with three-quarters of a length to spare.

Luckyinmilan was always prominent as he continued his fine run of form with a two-length victory over Twiss's Hill in the Kilmolash (Q.R.) Handicap Hurdle, while Without Limites built on his debut second when cruising home by 12 lengths from Cadeau Du Bresil in the Powerstown Flat Race.