Annie Power brings star quality to Punchestown's midweek fixture and should enjoy a gentle warm-up ahead of the Cheltenham festival in the three-runner opener.
The only two defeats of Annie Power’s illustrious career have come at the festival, most notoriously her final flight fall in the OLBG Mares Hurdle last March.
She is a 4-5 favourite to put that right in the same contest in four weeks’ time although Annie Power is also a 4-1 second-choice in ante-post lists for the World Hurdle.
The OLBG option still looks most likely though and a spin around Punchestown’s inner two and a half miles has form when it comes to putting top mares right for Cheltenham.
Annie Power’s former stable companion Quevega was famous for returning to action at Cheltenham after long absences but before the first of her record OLBG victories in 2009 she successfully appeared on this programme.
Annie Power will sport a hood for the first time.
Aspen Colorado is a 10-1 favourite in many markets for the
Champion
Bumper at Cheltenham so fans of Aidan O’Brien’s horse will hope for a boost from Without Limites in the three-runner finale.
Without Limites chased home Aspen Colorado at Leopardstown last month and has just two newcomers to beat, including Henry De Bromhead's filly Veronica Napkin, a half sister to the former Grade One Punchestown festival winner, Spirit Of Adjisa.
That’s A Wrap could go close in the handicap hurdle.
