Scans boost hope of Cheltenham return for Annie Power
CHELTENHAM Festival hope Annie Power could be back in training in the New Year after scans revealed her injuries were not as serious as first feared.
Scans have showed Annie Power's injuries are not as bad as first thought
The top-class mare was declared to make her reappearance in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse last Sunday, but was found to be lame on Friday and was immediately withdrawn from the Grade One contest.
Annie Power will walk until Christmas and be checked again and then hopefully be back to full training
The champion trainer feared the six-year-old could have suffered a possible stress fracture, which would have meant eight to 10 weeks box rest.
Willie Mullins said: "Annie Power will walk until Christmas and be checked again and then hopefully be back to full training. There is no fracture. Just a stress reaction."
Owned by Rich Ricci, Annie Power lost her unbeaten record when second to More Of That in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, before bouncing back at Punchestown.