Festival Focus – Mares Hurdle 2015

Keep Calm and Carrig On - Carrigmoorna Rock looks a place alternative to the hot favourite

The Mares Hurdle this year once again revolves around a Willie Mullins super mare, but with six time winner Quevega now enjoying retirement a new name is finally set to be added to the roll of honour and if Annie Power makes it to the race then she will more than likely emulate her former stable mate by claiming victory in the Mares Hurdle.

Whether or not last year’s World Hurdle runner up will line-up though remains up in the air, although Mullins has only today issued a bulletin that she is back riding out and the Mares Hurdle is indeed the intended festival target.

Even coming off an absence of what will be almost ten months she would be nigh on unbeatable if she turns up, but her price of course reflects this. Mullins proved with Quevega that he can bring a mare back from a long lay-off to run away with this race so that isn’t really a concern and the fact she’s still only tasted defeat once under rules should rate her as almost as much of a banker as Quevega has been for the last half decade or so.

Therefore the value call at this stage is to look for an each-way alternative that can bring a nice return simply by chasing home the Mullins superstar or perhaps land the spoils should Annie Power not make Cheltenham.

World Hurdle Preview - Festival Focus

I've Got The Power - Annie Power can beat the boys in the World Hurdle

I had thought about delving in to the World Hurdle before the weekend when there was inevitably going to be some fluctuation in the market with four of the main contenders for festival Thursday’s showpiece locking horns.

Alas time got the better of me but my thoughts haven’t really changed in the aftermath of the Cleeve and Annie Power’s run at Doncaster – if Annie Power takes her chance in the World Hurdle she can win it.

With her going over two miles at Doncaster many were convinced that was an indication that she will run in the Champion Hurdle rather than its longer companion. However Willie Mullins already has two for that race (including the favourite) and though Annie Power is with different owners I can’t imagine they’d make Ruby Walsh get off her – which he surely will if it’s a choice between her and Hurricane Fly.

He’s also unlikely to abandon Quevega in her bid for further Cheltenham history in the Mares race which really only leaves one option and with Boston Bob running an absolute shocker in the Cleeve that leaves Mullins with no real contender for the World Hurdle too, so step forward Annie Power.