Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle (Grade 1)

DESPITE a disappointing effort in the Stayers Hurdle, the vibes coming from Closutton for Klassical Dream were wholly positive going into the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle on Thursday, and he duly delivered a third win in a row in the race, and fourth Grade 1 at this meeting, under a masterful ride from Paul Townend.

Settled out the back, the Jo Coleman-owned gelding travelled powerfully through the race and was delivered in perfect time by Townend, to join Sire Du Berlais and Asterion Forlonge at the last. He seemed to idle in front from here but always appeared to be doing enough to hold off the latter mentioned, who looks rejuvenated as a staying hurdler.

“What a ride,” Mullins said. “Paul was so cool on him. He was out the back, you could see him watching the race unfold. He was a little bit worried about five or six furlongs out that they had just got away from him but they closed up again and the minute Klassical Dream got a bit of daylight, you could see him locking on and Paul just had to deliver him at the right time and he’s been doing that all week.

“It was a really good race for us. Asterion Forlonge ran a cracker, staying on really well. Monkfish probably just wants slower ground and bigger fences to maximise his jumping but I think the two races he has had will stand to him next year, which is big because the word wasn’t good for him earlier in the season.”

Sire

It would be remiss not to give kudos to the third Sire Du Berlais, who at the age of 11 was attempting a major spring festival treble and ran his heart out in defeat, at a track he has never looked his best on.

His trainer Gordon Elliott said: “He is a great little horse and he has run his heart out again. We are very happy with him and he should be back for next season.”

Mullins now has a trip to Auteuil for the Grade 1 Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil on his mind for both Klassical Dream and Asterion Forlonge. Klassical Dream was second in that extended three-mile-one-furlong hurdle last season.

“I think we’ll have a crack at it again,” Mullins said. “A trip to Paris with friends is never a bad thing.

“It’s great to win again today. The only thing is going celebrating with Jo is no simple task. We have great nights!

“Jo’s late husband John would have loved this. It was the one horse he bought for a bit of fun when he retired and it worked out. It’s fantastic.”