Klassical Dream (right) is challenged by Aramon over the last© Photo Healy Racing
The Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle provided a thrilling finish between two Willie Mullins-trained geldings with Klassical Dream just getting the verdict in this two-mile Grade 1 test.
Ruby Walsh had Klassical Dream, successful in a maiden over course and distance at Christmas, close to the pace throughout and the 9/4 favourite held a narrow advantage approaching the last.
Paul Townend produced stablemate Aramon to challenge at the final flight and the previous Grade 1 winner held a slight edge on the run-in.
However Klassical Dream battled back in the final strides to get back up for a head success.
The pair stretched six lengths clear of Vision d’Honneur in third.
Mullins said, “I was delighted whichever horse won. Both ran fantastic and it was a matter of which jumped the last better. Ruby got the best jump, it was touch and go and it depended where the line was.
“Ruby's horse is very brave. Both will go to Cheltenham and I'm very happy to be first and second in a Grade 1 here. Both excellent riders, both with good mounts underneath them - proper racing.
“Klassical Dream shows me a fair bit at home and we've been minding him all season. We got him out at Christmas and he did it well. Things didn't go completely right then and we felt he'd improve a good bit from it. I'd imagine that's why Ruby picked him today.
“Aramon had plenty of running all season and we weren't even sure until last week whether we were going to run him. His last bit of work was good, and the ground was staying right for him, so we said we'd let him take his chance.
“They are two good novices and if we get softer ground Klassical Dream will improve again from that.”
Paddy Power, Boylesports and Betfair all cut Klassical Dream into 8/1 (from 12/1) for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, while the former go 12/1 (from 16/1) Aramon for the Festival opener.
(GC & AM)
