KLASSICAL Dream battled back gamely to fend off fellow Willie Mullins-trained stablemate Aramon and win the Grade 1 Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The French import won on his debut for the yard at Christmas and was sent off the 9/4 favourite for this two-mile heat.

Ruby Walsh caused a minor surprise when opting to ride Klassical Dream and it looked like he had got it wrong at one stage as Aramon and Paul Townend made a late charge and went a neck in front.

With Aramon looking sure to add a second Grade 1 to his tally, Walsh conjured up a fantastic final effort from Klassical Dream and it was enough to see him prevail by a head.

Gordon Elliott’s Vision D’Honneur was kept wide throughout by Jack Kennedy and while he briefly looked a threat at the top of the straight, he eventually finished a well-beaten third.