Annie fall saves bookies’ monster pay-out

IRISH trainer Willie Mullins was widely tipped to land all four Grade One events on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival and while he completed the feat, it wasn’t without a dramatic conclusion.

After favourites Douvan (Supreme Novices Hurdle), Un De Sceaux (Arkle Chase) and Faugheen (Champion Hurdle, above) had all done the business in their respective events, it was left to Annie Power to round off a dream afternoon for Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh with a victorious seasonal return in the Mares' Hurdle.

Everything appeared to be going to plan as the 1–2 favourite approached the last well clear of her rivals and seemingly full of running, only to take off too early, crash through the obstacle and crumple to the ground on landing. Her stable companion Glens Melody won the race for the Mullins team.

Annie Power’s fall was reported to have saved bookmakers over £50million: punters had invested in accumulators on the Mullins horses.