Klassical Dream taking shape for Mullins

Willie Mullins feels Klassical Dream has the potential to be just as good as some of his recent champion hurdle winners.

The French import was unbeaten in four starts last season over timber, taking the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in decisive style and following up at Punchestown. Unlike Mullins’ most recent Supreme winners Champagne Fever (2013), Vautour (2014) and Douvan (2015), who all went over fences the following season, Klassical Dream will stick to the smaller obstacles this season.

The Champion Hurdle has been robbed of its kingpin following the recent sad passing of Espoir D’Allen and few are better placed than Klassical Dream to take over the mantle. Mullins has won the Champion Hurdle four times in the last nine years with the likes of Hurricane Fly, Annie Power and Faugheen and Ireland’s champion trainer feels Klassical Dream could be of that ilk.

“Klassical Dream has done well over the last few months and he looks very well. He didn’t do anything wrong last season and you would like to think he looks as good as some of our past champion hurdlers,” said Mullins. He is likely to be back in action in November, though Mullins is typically non-committal on exactly where and when that will be, with the usual contests being considered in Ireland.

“He could start off in the Morgiana, but the race at Down Royal is definitely an option too and there is the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse as well. I don’t like to pin mine down to one specific target this early, so we’ll keep our options open,” Mullins added. Klassical Dream is 4.50 to win the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 10.