Bookies braced for Annie Power-led

Annie Power's last flight fall at Cheltenham last year saved bookmakers a £50 million ($72 million) pay out but Willie Mullins' brilliant mare is back to atone Tuesday in the Champion Hurdle.

She is one of four Mullins hotpots on the opening day of the 2016 Festival at Prestbury Park.

The Irish trainer, who had a record eight winners last year, gets his assault on the four-day Festival up and running with the short-priced favourite Min in the opening Supreme Novices Hurdle.

Douvan, who won that race in 2015, is odds-on for the Arkle Trophy 40 minutes later.

Success for this pair will see Annie Power's odds tumble in the following Champion Hurdle where she is seeking to become the first of her sex to land the hurdling crown since Flakey Dove in 1994.

She only entered the Champion Hurdle equation last month after the defection due to injury of reigning Champion Hurdler Faugheen.

Mullins then has short-priced market leader Vroum Vroum Mag in the mares hurdle.

All four run in the colours of millionaire American banker Rich Ricci, and are ridden by Ruby Walsh.

Given Mullins' opening day riches bookmakers are in for a sleepless night Monday, judged by the mood of dread at British bookmakers Ladbrokes.

"Last year we were staring at a £50 million loss on day one before Annie Power's unbelievable fall at the last hurdle. It was the most expensive fall in Festival history," said the betting firm's David Williams.

"This year it could be every bit as bad. If we find ourselves 3-0 down heading into Vroum Vroum Mag's race the bookies will be white as ghosts.

"If Ricci is grinning we're sure to be suffering."

Annie Power is seeking to make it third time lucky at the Festival, after her fall in 2015 and second in the World Hurdle the previous season.

That was over three miles, but Mullins is unfazed about her dropping back in trip.

"I think it might actually be easier for her to race over two miles with the pace they'll be going. It will be easier to ride her, anyway," Mullins said on Monday.

He added: "She's only had one run, but I think plenty of horses have won the Champion Hurdle with one run and the fact that she's hard on herself at home is a good thing.

"Going back two years, Annie Power was quite a short price for the Champion Hurdle. We thought she was a Champion Hurdle horse that year, but we obviously had Hurricane Fly and a few others in the race."

Mullins, seeking a fourth Champion, also saddles Nichols Canyon, who upset Faugheen before Christmas at Punchestown, and Sempre Medici.

British hopes of keeping the coveted prize at home are led by The New One, third in 2014, and Nicky Henderson's My Tent Or Yours.

Victory for the last-named would rate as one of the great Festival training feats as the narrowly beaten runner-up in 2013 hasn't raced in anger for two years.

"It is a hell of a shock coming into a race after any lay-off but two years without a run into the Champion Hurdle is massive ...." said Henderson.

"His racecourse gallops at Kempton were ideal and went very well. Can I retire if he wins the Champion Hurdle?"

My Tent Or Yours is one of five runners for the trainer who is seeking a record sixth Champion Hurdle.
Source: AFP