tracked leader in 2nd, big jump at 1st, 2nd travelling well 2 out, ridden to lead before last, headed at last, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, no extra
led, took keen hold, jumped left at 2nd, ridden entering straight, headed before last, 3rd at last, kept on to go 2nd inside final furlong, not trouble winner
tracked leaders disputing 3rd, pushed along in 3rd entering straight, ridden and headway to lead at last, stayed on well run-in
tracked leaders disputing 3rd, ridden in 4th entering straight, no impression
always last, mistake at 1st, trailing 3 out, slight mistake next, no impression
Willie Mullins always enters his top hurdlers here which is why he's won it for the past eight years though Sharjah shocked Faugheen in last year's renewal, when Petite Mouchoir was well beaten, and is back for another crack. Still only a six-year-old, he followed up by beating a high-class field in the Ryanair at Punchestown in December before being brought down early in his only subsequent start in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. The reappearance of KLASSICAL DREAM has been eagerly awaited and the triple Grade 1 winner puts his credentials on the line after a brilliant novice campaign. He looks to have everything in his armour to be top-class against more experienced rivals and showed he could handle soft ground in the Sky Bet Supreme at Cheltenham. Saldier looked a tremendous prospect when landing the Grade 1 Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at Punchestown in April last year but hasn't been seen since falling at the last at Naas a year ago when holding a slight lead over subsequent champion hurdler Espoir D'Allen so it will be interesting to see how he performs.
Klassical Dream (FR) 8-13fav (11-12) Raced in 2nd, on terms 2 out, soon led and asserted, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr beating Felix Desjy (11-12) by 5 1/2l, 6 ran.
Petit Mouchoir (FR) 3-1 (11-0) Led from 1st and clear with one rival, pushed along and headed entering straight, soon dropped to 4th and no extra after 2 out, 4th of 6, 23l behind Davids Charm (11-0) at Tipperary 2m (1) gd in Oct.
Saldier (FR) 13-8fav (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, jumped right at times, 2nd and mistake 3 out, improved to dispute lead travelling well 2 out, pushed along and every chance disputing lead when fell at last, at Naas 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Nov.
Sharjah (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Held up in mid-division, brought down 3rd, at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Yaha Fizz (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Disputed lead, slight mistake 1st, led from 2nd, joined 3 out and headed after next, ridden and dropped to 3rd before last, no impression run-in, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Arcenfete (11-12) at Roscommon 2m 1f gd in Aug.
