Klassical Dream puts his Champion Hurdle credentials on line in Matheson Hurdle

2.30 Leopardstown
Matheson Hurdle | 2m | Grade 1 | 4yo+ | RTE2/RTV

There is a suggestion Klassical Dream has been Unibet Champion Hurdle favourite most of the winter by default as contenders collapse with each passing day. This is his chance to prove he deserves to be there.

Epatante usurped him at the top of the market with some firms after her stylish success in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, but now the Supreme winner has his chance to wrestle back the favourite's tag.

Not much went right for Klassical Dream in the Morgiana at Punchestown. He was edgy at the start, ballooned the first flight and could not repel the late surge of Saldier. It was disappointing but it was only November.

Ruby Walsh was successful on Klassical Dream in the Cheltenham Festival opener in March and the multiple champion jockey thinks we should give the five-year-old another chance to right the wrongs of Punchestown.

"Klassical Dream needed every yard of the two miles to beat Aramon here last year, but I think he will turn the recent form with Petit Mouchoir, and Sharjah was too far behind them in the Morgiana to take that as Sharjah’s run," said Walsh in his Irish Examiner column.

Pros
Supreme Novices' winner who is only five, so there should be more improvement to come and he is two from two at Leopardstown

Cons
Could not justify odds-on favouritism when only third to Saldier in the Morgiana at Punchestown, which leaves him with questions to answer

Sublime a stronger, more mature horse says Elliott

Coeur Sublime was not a name that popped up in conversations about the Champion Hurdle during the summer and autumn, but such was the impression he created in the WKD Hurdle at Down Royal that he is now the dark horse of the race.

Coeur Sublime: Gordon Elliott was thrilled with his run at Down RoyalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Davy Russell barely had to move a muscle to secure a 15-length victory over stablemate Coko Beach in the Grade 2 and Gordon Elliott thinks he is a different horse to the one seen last year.

"This has been the plan since he won at Down Royal," said Elliott. "We were thrilled with him there. This is obviously a big step up from that but he is a stronger, more mature horse now and I think he will run a big race."

Pros
Triumph Hurdle runner-up who looked to have progressed a lot in the off season when winning by 15 lengths in a Grade 2 at Down Royal on his return to action

Cons
Rated only 155, so plenty to find on the figures and has yet to win a Grade 1

Patrick Mullins can't wait to ride last year's winner

Sharjah spoiled the Samcro party in this race last year and Patrick Mullins says he will improve hugely from his comeback effort in the Morgiana, so ignore him at your peril.

Sharjah: wins last year's Galway Hurdle and is the highest-rated horse in the raceCredit: Caroline Norris

With a mark of 162, Sharjah is officially the highest-rated horse in the race. The handicapper thinks he is 2lb better than Klassical Dream and 7lb superior to Coeur Sublime, so it will be interesting to see whether he is right.

"I think he'll handle the ground fine and I expect him to have come on hugely for his Morgiana run. He’s the highest rated horse in the race and I can’t wait to ride him again," said Mullins, who also won the 2018 Galway Hurdle on the son of Doctor Dino.

Pros
Won the race last year and has the highest rating of all

Cons
Has a lot of ground to make up on Klassical Dream and Petit Mouchoir from their Morgiana clash

Hurdles or fences, two miles or three, it makes no difference to Darasso

Darasso is nothing if not versatile. The six-year-old was last seen winning a Grade 2 novice chase over two miles at Navan in March. Two months before that he was finishing fifth to Presenting Percy over hurdles over three miles.

On his return to action after a 286-day absence, he is pitched into a Grade 1 over the minimum trip and it would be foolish to write him off. He's won his last two outings and the chances are we have yet to see the best of him.

Darasso: dry forecast isn't ideal for him, says trainer Joseph O'BrienCredit: Patrick McCann

"In an ideal world we couldn't have enough rain for Darasso, so the dry forecast isn't ideal, but he seems to be in good form and we're looking forward to letting him take his chance," said trainer Joseph O'Brien.

"He's won at two miles over fences and hurdles before, so we're hoping he can run well."

Pros
Versatile sort who will welcome any rain that arrives and could have more to offer

Cons
Rated 9lb inferior to Sharjah and has to step up on what he has shown so far to feature prominently

Blackmore on board previous winner Petit Mouchoir

Petit Mouchoir, who won the race three years ago, was ahead of Klassical Dream in the Morgiana so should not be underestimated, particularly ridden by the in-form Rachael Blackmore. Aramon, trained by Willie Mullins and making his seasonal debut, completes the field. He finished sixth behind Klassical Dream in the Supreme but won a Grade 1 novice hurdle at the meeting last year.

Read The Lowdown from 8.30am daily on racingpost.com and the Racing Post app for all the day's going updates, news and tips