Klassical Dream© Photo Healy Racing
Klassical Dream returned from a 16 months layoff to win the featured Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown today, scoring for all-conquering father/son, trainer/jockey combination of Willie and Patrick Mullins.
The son of Dream Well proved to be jockey Ruby Walsh's final Cheltenham festival winner in the 2019 Supreme Novices Hurdle and today returned following a 487 days absence, wearing a hood, and scoring an easy and impressive win over stablemate James Du Berlais.
Last month's Cheltenham Stayers Hurdle winner Flooring Porter the easy to back 100/30 favourite, boiled-over approaching start-time and subsequently raced far too keen, before fading and pulling up.
The win was emotional for connections and trainer Mullins later reported “unfortunately his owner John Coleman didn't live to see him winning at Cheltenham but Joanne (his wife) had his ashes in her handbag so, anyhow, up he popped in the winners' enclosure!
“This win is fantastic for them as he is a family horse but missed a year.”
He added “David Casey, who rides him at home, kept saying how well he was working and got it right. Patrick was quietly confident all week and I was hoping for his sake he was right.
“He could stay staying hurdling or go novice chasing — looking at the size of him in the parade ring, anyone would love to ride him down to a fence because he has a really good method of jumping.
“Staying hurdling is very hard on horses and I'd rather go chasing and if it doesn't work out, he could always come back.
“Paris (Auteuil) in June might call if we are allowed over there, as he has had such an easy time.
“James Du Berlais (runner-up) ran a cracker and is one to look forward to going over fences next year as well.”
Klassical Dream's win moves jockey Patrick Mullins three clear of Jamie Codd (48-45) at the head of the Amateur Jockeys' Championship, with victory almost in sight.
Quotes from Gary Carson
