What race is she eligble for at the Festival- From what I can see at the moment she is entered in the mares race and the champion hurdle- but surley she wont go up against Quevega & The Fly respectively. Willie does have a soft spot for her and she is very talented. I know she is entered for saturdays race at Ascot which I so hope she turns up to. But from a horse that has been described as " Can be anything" surely she will be taken to this years festival! And could we see a new Queen crowned in the mare hurdle division?
She is currently rated 154, no way Champion Hurdle and I can't imagine Mullins will want to pitch her against Quevega. Maybe skip Cheltenham and go Aintree Hurdle? Or World Hurde?
Mmmm interesting but I cant see willie sending her 3m this early so maybe go for the Aintree Hurdle- i hope she does run on saturday tho!
I expect they're trying her at Ascot to see how she travels. It points to a Cheltenham or Aintree plan but who knows.
Completely disagree. She's rated 154, factor in the mares allowance, and she's right on the heels of last year's top novices Jezki, My Tent or Yours etc If she beats Zarkander on Saturday and I think she'll have no problem in doing it, she's a proper 'dark horse' for the Champion Hurdle.
Fair does beefy, but I think it will take a 170-175 performance to win the CH this season - despite his detractors, the Fly will be there again, he was only half cooked for the Morgiana, I've never seen him with so much condition. The New One is rated 167 and likely to improve between now and March, feck knows what MTOY will be. Granted though, if Annie Power slams this field at the weekend she will have earned her place in the Champion Hurdle. If she scrapes home from Zarkandar that is unlikely to be good enough.
Whilst I've always doubted Zarkander's Champion Hurdle credentials, there's little disputing he's a very solid yardstick, particularly over 2m 4f and Annie Power beating him would surely perch her in the 165+ region. It's also easy to forget old Zarkander dished out a beating to the Champion Hurdle favourite over this trip in Aintree My doubt with Annie Power is what is her trip? Would likely need soft going to go close in a Champion Hurdle and the Champion is looking a very, very hot renewal but she'll certainly earn her place by winning on Saturday.
Don't remind me - cost me a fecking packet . Fair to say The New One has improved significantly since then - even on a direct formlinr through Rock On Ruby, without taking into account how visually impressive he was at Kempton.