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All eyes on Klassical Dream as Stayers' Hurdle favourite bids for Galmoy strike

Thursday: 2.05 Gowran Park
John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle (Grade 2) | 3m½f | 5yo+ | RTE2/RTV

It seemed a live possibility in the aftermath of his Christmas success that we would not see Klassical Dream again before the Stayers' Hurdle, but here he is and everything points to another win.

Much was made of the flying start he stole on main rival Flooring Porter at Leopardstown last month, but the five-time Grade 1 winner may well have had enough to see off last season's Cheltenham Festival scorer regardless.

Klassical Dream enters Thursday's Grade 2 assignment as the 11-4 favourite with sponsors Paddy Power to claim the Stayers' Hurdle crown.

Klassical Dream: has come a long way since his first season in open Grade 1 company
Klassical Dream: has come a long way since his first season in open Grade 1 companyCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Rated 166, he must give weight away to all rivals but is 13lb clear of his nearest-rated rival Mr Adjudicator and deemed a stone better than Commander Of Fleet. Both rivals were safely beaten behind the Joanne Coleman-owned performer last time at Leopardstown.

His biggest challenge looks set to come from the progressive Royal Kahala, one of two mares in the line-up.

The Peter Fahey-trained seven-year-old, who dug deep to deny Heaven Help Us in a Grade 3 mares' hurdle over 2m4f at Leopardstown last month, receives 11lb from Klassical Dream but is officially rated 26lb inferior.

This will be her first start beyond 2m4f, though, and is a factor that connections believe should help to eke out improvement.

There were more positives than negatives to take from the run of Gentlemansgame when finishing tenth in a 20-runner Pertemps Qualifier over the festive period at Leopardstown.

Royal Kahala (noseband): stayed on strongly to land the Grade 3 Advent Surety Irish EBF Mares Hurdle at Leopardstown last month
Royal Kahala (noseband): stayed on strongly to land the Grade 3 Advent Surety Irish EBF Mares Hurdle at Leopardstown last monthCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Representing Mouse Morris, who won this race last year with Sams Profile, he has some smart novice form and is bound to come forward from that first start for 244 days. A career-best will be needed to ruffle Klassical Dream's feathers, though.

Commander Of Fleet is talented on his day but arguably hasn't been the most consistent, while last season's Grand National third Any Second Now is a better chaser and will be of greater interest if returning to Aintree this spring.

Klassical Dream sets the standard says Mullins

Willie Mullins has won the Galmoy Hurdle a record four times since its inception in 2002 and believes Klassical Dream is ideally suited by conditions as the trainer bids to enhance his strike-rate in the race.

"Klassical Dream is really well suited by the conditions and sets the standard," said Mullins. "The ground and trip are ideal and we are expecting a big run."

He added of Mr Adjudicator, who returned from an 879-day break over the festive period: "He finished a long way behind Klassical Dream at Leopardstown but will come on from that and could be each-way value."


What they say

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Ashdale Bob
He had a nasty experience last time at Leopardstown over fences so we're coming back to hurdles. We want to try to help his confidence.

Frank Berry, racing manager to JP McManus, owner of Any Second Now
He ran nicely at Navan and Ted [Walsh] is happy with him. You'd be looking forward to him running a big race. It looks a hot contest and if he runs well we'd be delighted.

Gentlemansgame: has some smart novice hurdles form to his name
Gentlemansgame: has some smart novice hurdles form to his nameCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Commander Of Fleet
A reproduction of something like his win at Navan two starts ago would give him a chance of being placed but he disappointed last time and can be a bit hot and cold.

Mouse Morris, trainer of Gentlemansgame
I was pleased with his first start back at Leopardstown. He might have travelled a bit too keenly but it was a grand run. Hopefully he gives a good account of himself.

Peter Fahey, trainer of Royal Kahala
We always felt that stepping up in trip could bring out improvement and the ground is looking like being soft so hopefully that will all help. We gave her an entry for the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham so that if she happened to end up winning or running a huge race here we wouldn't be kicking ourselves for having her solely in the Mares' Hurdle. We'll see how everything goes on Thursday but it is an option.


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Mark BoylanReporter

Published on 26 January 2022inPreviews

Last updated 17:04, 26 January 2022

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