Klassical Dream sore following Leopardstown defeat with no plans set

Klassical Dream returned sore after his heavy defeat at Leopardstown with Willie Mullins weighing up a plan for the one-time Champion Hurdle favourite.

Last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner was sent off the 10-11 favourite for the Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle on Sunday but made a mess of the fourth obstacle and trailed in last of five behind stablemate Sharjah.

Bookmakers responded by pushing him out to as big as 10-1 for the Unibet-backed Champion Hurdle for which Epatante has been favourite since winning the Christmas Hurdle.

Mullins said on Monday: "Klassical Dream was a bit sore behind this morning after dragging his hind legs through the fourth flight. Otherwise he seems fine. We haven't made a definite plan for him yet."

Last term’s Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle scorer City Island was trimmed in the Champion Hurdle market by some firms on Monday but trainer Martin Brassil said the plan was to stay over fences.

City Island was pulled up on his chasing debut at Leopardstown last week after jumping poorly and Brassil said: "He was fine after his run at Leopardstown on Friday. We were quite happy with him going there for his first run over fences but he seemed to lose his confidence at the second last and made a bad mistake.

“He was lucky to stay standing and was pulled up. We'll give him another school and look for another beginners' chase. There's no plan at this stage to go back hurdling with him."

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