Annie Power will lead Willie Mullins’s charge at the Punchestown Festival later this month, making her long awaited return from injury.

Mullins is sending a strong outfit to Punchestown in order to try and close the gap on rival Gordon Elliott in the Irish trainers’ Championship and all eyes will be on Annie Power.

Mullins has confirmed is set to have her first start since last year’s Punchestown Festival. The brilliant mare missed the Cheltenham due to a knee ligament injury.

“Annie Power is in good order and she is working well in preparation for Punchestown. We’re very happy to have her back obviously and looking forward to seeing her out again,” said Mullins.

She has three options at Punchestown – the three-mile Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle (Thursday, April 27), the two-mile BETDAQ Punchestown Champion Hurdle (Friday, April 28) and the 2m 4f Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Champion Hurdle (Saturday, April 29).

Mullins also confirmed that Un De Sceaux, Nichols Canyon, Melon and Let’s Dance will also be making the trip.