Punchestown course specialist Klassical Dream (3/1jf) completed a remarkable hat-trick of Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle wins today, achieving the feat under a cool Paul Townend-ride.

Successful in the 2019 Supreme Novices Hurdle, when providing Ruby Walsh with a final Cheltenham winner, keen-going Klassical Dream was today unleashed by Townend in the final half-mile and battled to a half-length win over stablemate Asterion Forlonge

Veteran 11 year old Sire Du Berlais with recent Cheltenham Stayers Hurdle and Aintree big-race wins, battled for third, a neck behind.

Winning trainer Willie Mullins commented “Paul was so cool on him. He was out the back and the minute he got a bit of daylight he locked on and I thought wow this is it. It was a masterclass in riding again.

“I’m a bit worried now as going celebrating with Jo (Coleman, owner) is no simple task! We have good nights.”

He added “I think we’ll bring him to Auteuil again. We had a good time there last year (finished second) and a weekend in Paris is never a bad thing.

“Asterion Forlonge ran a cracker and stayed on great at the end. I think hurdling is just too fast for Monkfish (which finished last) and he wants slower ground and bigger fences to maximise jumping.”

Quotes from Alan Magee