Stayers' Hurdle favourite Klassical Dream facing Honeysuckle clash at Fairyhouse

The unbeaten Honeysuckle could face a new challenge in her bid for a hat-trick of wins in the baroneracing.com Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse as Willie Mullins is keen for the Stayers' Hurdle favourite Klassical Dream to return in the Grade 1 on November 28.

Klassical Dream, who is 4-1 with bet365 for the Stayers' Hurdle, has an identical rating to Honeysuckle on 165 but would have to give the hat-trick-seeking superstar a 7lb mares' allowance.

If Klassical Dream, who returned from a 487-day absence to run away with the Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown in April, does line up in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle he would be the 21st different opponent Mullins has put up against Honeysuckle.

Speaking via Zoom at the launch of the baroneracing.com winter festival at Fairyhouse, Mullins heaped praise upon Honeysuckle and explained just how hard it is to beat her.

Mullins said: "Even when you think you have her beaten, when you think things haven't gone right for her, she just keeps pulling it out. We'll take her on here [in the Hatton's Grace] and keep taking her on for the rest of the season. She has to have opposition and competition to keep everyone straight."

'It was eye-opening what he did'

On his Hatton's Grace team, he added: "Klassical Dream worked nicely this morning and could start back in the Hatton's Grace. We think he's in good form and a lot will depend on how well he works over the next few weeks and whether he's ready in time for Fairyhouse. Even if he's not, we might still start him there.

"It was eye-opening what he did at Punchestown. He'd been working well at home before that but I found it very hard to believe he could put in that sort of a run against Grade 1 horses first time out after such a long time being off. I thought if he finished in the first four it would have been a fantastic comeback, so for him to do what he did was mouthwatering."

Klassical Dream is one of four entries from the Mullins stable in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle alongside Galway Hurdle winner Saldier, Stormy Ireland and Burning Victory.

Mullins said: "When Saldier got the fall at Naas in the Fishery Lane [in November 2018], he broke his jaw and damaged his eye socket; one side of his face just collapsed. It has taken all this time for him to get his confidence back jumping and now he's got it back. A longer trip in the Hatton's Grace will be right up his street. I think the race will fit nicely into his schedule.

Saldier: 'A longer trip in the Hatton's Grace will be right up his street'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"Stormy Ireland is a funny little mare. Ruth Dudfield rides her out the whole time and Ruth tells me when she's nearly unmanageable on the gallop that's when she's at her best. She's in that sort of form at the moment and she likes Fairyhouse."

Gordon Elliott, who won the baroneracing.com Royal Bond Novice Hurdle last year with Ballyadam, has nine of the 24 entries this time including unbeaten pair Mighty Potter and Hollow Games.

As for Ballyadam, he holds an entry in the baroneracing.com Drinmore Novice Chase, which was won 12 months ago by Envoi Allen.

Fairyhouse manager Peter Roe said the stellar entry list emphasised how important the winter festival has become on the jumps calendar.

Roe said: "We're delighted with the strength in depth of entries for the three Grade 1 races. It's great to see Fairyhouse favourite Honeysuckle bid for her seventh success at the track along with a host of other potential top-class horses in the Bar One Racing-sponsored races."

The beaten 20 (Willie Mullins-trained horses who have tried and failed to beat Honeysuckle)

1 Robin De Carlow (twice)
2 Elfile (twice)
3 Eglantine Du Seuil
4 Calie Du Mesnil
5 Salsaretta
6 Buildmeupbuttercup
7 Sancta Simona
8 Easy Game
9 Mister Blue Sky
10 Bacardys (twice)
11 Killultagh Vic
12 Penhill
13 Aramon
14 Sharjah (four times)
15 Saglawy
16 Benie Des Dieux
17 Stormy Ireland
18 Saint Roi
19 Saldier (twice)
20 James Du Berlais

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