Klassical Dream 'will take an awful lot of beating' in Champion Novice Hurdle

Herald Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m½f, 5yo+ | RTE2/RTV

Klassical Dream heads a cast of six – including three stablemates – for the first Grade 1 of the week at Punchestown.

The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old will be attempting to make it four from four this season and follow up his victory in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.

Ruby Walsh's mount is set to go off odds-on for his bid for a third top-level win, but there are dangers aplenty in opposition apart from his stablemates Aramon, Mister Blue Sky and Quick Grabim.

Gordon Elliott runs Felix Desjy, who finished 11 lengths behind Klassical Dream at Cheltenham but went on to win the Grade 1 Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree, while Nicky Henderson saddles Champagne Platinum, who is two from two over hurdles.

Elliott said of Felix Desjy: "He has come out of Aintree in great shape and we're looking forward to running him. He won a Grade 2 over the course in January and is a horse that has come good through the second half of the season.

"Hopefully he can maintain that into this race, although Klassical Dream will take an awful lot of beating."

Henderson said of Champagne Platinum, who won in good style at Newcastle and Newbury in December: "Unfortunately he had to miss the Cheltenham Festival because of a foot problem. We had to leave him alone for two weeks.

"Whether he is up to Grade 1 standard, I don't know. I hope he is. He was impressive both times he won over hurdles and is a fantastic novice chase prospect for next season."

CKlassical Dream 'will take an awful lot of beating' in Champion Novice Hurdlehampagne Platinum will be attempting to become the first British-trained winner of the event since Midnight Legend, ridden by Richard Johnson and trained by David Nicholson, in 1997.

While the Elliott and Henderson camps will be hoping for a slice of the €100,000 pie, the Mullins-trained back-ups are not too shabby as Aramon and Quick Grabim are already winners at Grade 1 level, while Mister Blue Sky won a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse last time out.

Furthermore, Ireland's champion trainer is going for a third consecutive victory in this Grade 1, which he has won in the past with Hurricane Fly, Faugheen and Douvan.

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