• Horse Racing

Annie Power remains unbeaten with Cheltenham win

ESPN staff
January 1, 2014
Ruby Walsh is all smiles after victory on Annie Power © PA Photos
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Annie Power easily saw off the threat of Zarkandar at Cheltenham to extend her unbeaten record to nine wins out of nine starts.

The Willie Mullins-trained mare endured a messy start at the first hurdle but was soon brought under order by Ruby Walsh.

In a three-horse race, 2/5 favourite Annie Power spent much of the race tracking Empire Levant on the soft ground around the new course.

Two from home, Walsh eased his mount alongside Empire Levant before pulling clear of Zarkandar and easing past the post eight lengths clear.

Zarkandar, trained by Paul Nicholls, found no response in the final 150 yards and jockey Daryl Jacob had to settle for second place.

Meanwhile, Flemenstar has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a tendon injury. However, connections expect Tony Martin's star chaser to return to the track early next term.

"We won't rush him and we're going to give him time. We're just looking after him," owner Stephen Curran said. "We're treating him at the moment, he's looking well and he's doing well. We're looking forward to the end of the year with him. We'll get him back okay, there's no doubt about that, but we've got to mind him, and we will."

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