'He loves it here' - Klassical Dream back to his best to claim second Stayers

Thursday: Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle, Punchestown

He may not have delivered the same wow factor and panache as when bolting up in the race 12 months ago, but the unquestionably talented Klassical Dream atoned for his Cheltenham Festival defeat with a decisive display to land the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle.

It looked as though the world was at the freegoing hurdler's feet when outgunning Flooring Porter – with the aid of a flying start – at Leopardstown over Christmas, but the wheels came off in no uncertain terms when blowing out at 1-3 in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran a month later.

Despite that bitterly disappointing effort, the 2019 Supreme Novices' Hurdle hero was sent off 11-4 favourite to lower the colours of Flooring Porter in last month's Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham, but he failed to get home in fifth after trading as low as evens in-running.

Result and replay: Klassical Dream triumphs at Punchestown again

With Flooring Porter, who prefers left-handed tracks, skipping Punchestown this time, Klassical Dream was again strong in the market as 11-10 favourite to reverse the form of his Cheltenham encounter with third-placed Paisley Park.

Paul Townend had last year's nine-length winner on his best behaviour throughout proceedings, switching him off beautifully in the seven-runner affair as Gentlemansgame set what looked a sensible pace in front.

Seven became six when 2020 Cheltenham Festival-winning mare Concertista pulled up sharply after a mistake at the eighth, leaving Coral Cup third Ashdale Bob in the final spot just behind Paisley Park and Klassical Dream.

It was on the turn for home where the race really took shape, though, as Klassical Dream travelled with bundles of enthusiasm and creeped forward menacingly into third.

Ashdale Bob, officially rated 12lb inferior, tried to mirror the Willie Mullins-trained performer, but a superior turn of foot on the run to the last was something Jessica Harrington's admirable seven-year-old could not match.

Klassical Dream didn't overly stretch out the margin of victory in the run-in, but he was always doing enough to keep a persistent Ashdale Bob at bay by a length and a quarter. Gentlemansgame did Mouse Morris proud as he boxed on two and a half lengths further back in third.

Speaking after making it a record-extending ninth win in the €275,000 contest, Mullins said: "He loves it here and I thought Paul gave him a lovely, tidy ride. He settled him, brought him late down to the start and got him relaxed. He had him put to sleep for most of the race. He was really good.

Klassical Dream holds off Ashdale Bob (green) by a length and a quarterCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"Having so few runners in the race was a big help as he was able to settle him on the outside and keep him relaxed."

Betfair Sportsbook made the now six-time Grade 1 winner a 10-1 chance (from 16-1) for next year's Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham, and it appears as though that will be likely be his festival target in 2023.

Mullins said: "I'd imagine we'll go the same route next year. I don't think we're going to go over fences, I think it's easier to keep him sounder that way."

Of Concertista, Mullins said: "She seems okay. She was loaded up in the box to come back for a veterinary check, but I think she's fine."

For Townend, it was his second win in the race after scoring aboard the mighty Quevega in 2010, with Patrick Mullins partnering Klassical Dream to victory last year.

"He was very good and behaved himself brilliantly in the race," said Townend. "It worked out lovely for us. This track plays to his strengths a lot.

"It's hard to second-guess what he's thinking himself so we try to keep him as relaxed as we can. He's growing up in his races, giving himself a chance in the middle of them. Once you don't upset him and keep everything as gentle as you can, that's probably the key."

Jessica Harrington was thrilled with the run of Ashdale Bob, and said: "It was a blazing run from him. He settled brilliantly and jumped fantastic.

"We just needed a bit of a hill there at the end. He won't be going back over fences next season. Hopefully he could be a Stayers' Hurdle horse."

Mouse Morris said of Gentlemansgame: "He ran very well and seems to like this track. Hopefully he could jump a fence next season."

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