Annie Power eased to victory in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival this afternoon.

Twelve months ago the pre-race favourite made the headlines when she fell at the final fence during the Mares' Hurdle - a race that it had looked destined to win by a considerable margin.

However, with Ruby Walsh once again in the saddle, there was no such drama this time around as the eight-year-old won by five lengths from Your Tent or Mine.

"That's what racing is about. I thought it was fantastic, a superb performance from the mare," trainer Willie Mullins told BBC Sport.

"It was Ruby's plan and he told me what he was going to do and he did it."

Another Mullins-trained horse - Nichols Canyon - took third spot.