FRIDAY

A momentous season for Annie Power can draw to a victorious close in the BETDAQ Punchestown Champion Hurdle where the outstanding mare bids for her third consecutive Grade 1 triumph at this meeting.

For the last two years Annie Power has dominated the mares hurdle on the concluding day of the Festival but it is all change this time around. An injury to stablemate Faugheen in February saw her slotted into the Champion Hurdle division and what followed has marked her out as one of the great National racemares.

Off the back of a comeback win in a low key three runner conditions race at this track, Annie Power produced the most complete and assured of displays to become the first mare in 22 years to claim the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. Earlier this month she then tackled the Aintree Hurdle where she overwhelmed the Champion Hurdle second My Tent Or Yours to score by 18 lengths. Current odds of 1/4 are an accurate reflection of Annie Power’s superiority over this field and it would be seismic shock if she were to meet with defeat.

If he gets to take his chance My Tent Or Yours looks likeliest one to chase home the favourite while the Fighting Fifth hero Identity Thief is probably capable of better than he got to show when sixth to Annie Power at Cheltenham.

Also worth a mention is Gordon Elliott’s Coral Cup victor Diamond King whose rating of 157 doesn’t leave him with much to find to challenge strongly for a place in the frame. This gelding has progressed notably well since coming to Ireland and he would represent each way appeal if given the opportunity to take his chance.

In the Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle the juvenile hurdlers Jer’s Girl and Slowmotion are getting a major weight allowance and both have shown themselves to be quality fillies.

Jer’s Girl was right at home over this trip when winning a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse while Slowmotion looked a filly with a fine future when landing a useful contest at the same meeting. Both would have the capacity to get involved if given the chance to take on their elders. This race could also see the return to action of the very talented Disko who hasn’t run since his impressive 29 lengths maiden hurdle win at Naas in November. Earlier on the card the EMS Copiers Novice Handicap looks an especially tricky contest although there are a couple that might leave their recent form behind. Jessica Harrington has a tremendous record in this race and her Walk To Freedom is an interesting runner. He has yet to build on his beginner’s chase win at Navan but it should be remembered that last season he took a major step forward for the switch to better ground at this meeting to win a well contested novice hurdle. A similar level of progression this time around would not surprise.

Marinero has yet to win over fences but there was plenty of promise in his second to Bonny Kate at Fairyhouse in November. Admittedly he was well beaten when he was last in action in January but his yard is now in vastly better form and that coupled with a switch to better ground could bring about a revival in his fortunes.