Klassical Dream leads home one-two for Willie Mullins in Chanelle Pharma Hurdle
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Watch a full replay of a thrilling Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle plus an interview with winning rider Ruby Walsh.
Klassical Dream battled back gamely to fend off fellow Willie Mullins-trained stablemate Aramon and win the Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The French import won on his debut for the yard at Christmas and was sent off the 9-4 favourite for the Grade One.
Ruby Walsh caused a minor surprise when opting to ride Klassical Dream and it looked like he had got it wrong at one stage as Aramon and Paul Townend made a late charge and went a neck in front.
With Aramon looking sure to add a second Grade One to his tally, Walsh conjured up a fantastic final effort from Klassical Dream and it was enough to see him prevail by a head.
Gordon Elliott's Vision D'Honneur was kept wide throughout by Jack Kennedy and while he briefly looked a threat at the top of the straight, he eventually finished a well-beaten third.
Walsh said: "He was tough and he had to battle. He got the better of Gordon's horse and then Paul arrived on my outside and he kept me good and tight from the back of the last!
"Aramon was very good at Christmas, but I was hoping Klassical Dream would have improved since then.
"You are looking for a standout novice and I think on softer ground Klassical Dream would improve again."
Mullins said: "I was delighted whichever horse won.
"Both ran fantastic and it was a matter of which jumped the last better. Ruby got the best jump, it was touch and go and it depended where the line was.
"Ruby's horse is very brave. Both will go to Cheltenham and I'm very happy to be first and second in a Grade One here.
"Both excellent riders, both with good mounts underneath them - proper racing.
"Klassical Dream shows me a fair bit at home and we've been minding him all season.
walsh
"We got him out at Christmas and he did it well. Things didn't go completely right then and we felt he'd improve a good bit from it. I'd imagine that's why Ruby picked him today.
"Aramon had plenty of running all season and we weren't even sure until last week whether we were going to run him.
"His last bit of work was good and the ground was staying right for him, so we said we'd let him take his chance.
"They are two good novices and if we get softer ground, Klassical Dream will improve again from that."
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