QUITE simply, Klassical Dream (165) turned the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle into a procession last Thursday week, landing a gamble which saw his odds contract from 22/1 on the morning of the race to 5/1 joint second favourite on the off.

His supporters never had a moment’s worry as the son of Dream Well travelled with incredible ease throughout the staying feature before using his two-mile speed to fantastic effect heading to the final hurdle to record a facile nine-length win over stable companion James Du Berlais (156).

The early pace was not dissimilar to the three-mile handicap hurdle won by Capodanno (147) later on the card until Jonathan Moore asked Flooring Porter to stretch the field heading to the straight for the first time, ensuring the race played to his strengths.

It was not to be for the Cheltenham winner on the day, but the race was set up to produce a performance of a champion stayer and Klassical Dream was more than equal to earning that tag as the former Supreme Novices’ hurdle winner defied a 487-day absence in style.

Rider Patrick Mullins made his ground smoothly from midfield as if there were still gears to spare if required and, although the combination had a slight disagreement at the final hurdle, all it served to achieve was reduce the winning distance. The visual impression of the victory is further enhanced by the final circuit time being 2.3 seconds faster than the two-mile hurdle won by Jiving Jerry (110) which opened the card.

Having been entered for a Leopardstown novice chase earlier in the campaign, connections may well be of the mind to go that route next season, however, should that not work out the seven-year-old has all the right attributes to take a place at the top table of the staying hurdle division.

James Du Berlais emerged from the pack to give Willie Mullins a notable one-two having been held up well off the pace. At the tender age of just five the ex-French Simon Munir and Isaac Soude-owned gelding has an exciting future ahead. The fact his handler saw him as a lively outsider for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham portrays that the son of Muhtathir must show plenty of speed in his homework and, like his winning stablemate, fences look to be on the agenda next season.