Multiple Grade 1 winner Klassical Dream made an impressive start to his chasing career with an easy victory in the Download The BetVictor App Irish EBF Beginners Chase at Thurles on Monday.
Although disappointing in the Grade 1 Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, Klassical Dream recorded a third straight success in the Grade 1 Champion Stayers' Hurdle at Punchestown in April before a third in Auteuil's Grande Course de Haies (French Champion Hurdle).
Victory on chasing debut never appeared in doubt as Paul Townend jumped the Willie Mullins-trained gelding out in front. He made all with an effortless round of jumping, drawing clear after the second-last fence to record a nine-and-half-length success.
"We'd have been disappointed if we were beaten, but he was foot perfect everywhere. He was quick getting from A to B and behaved himself relatively well as well, so maybe he has grown up," said Townend.
"I never had to interfere as he was lining up his fences from 10 strides away and I only had to encourage him and not fall off. He was good and clever and was able to sort himself out at fences as well, which was a nice thing to take from it.
"He achieved a lot over hurdles and was a high-class horse to be going chasing. He had done plenty schooling and has taken to it really well.
"He hasn't a million miles on the clock either and has loads of fire in his belly."
Klassical Dream has been shortened with Paddy Power for the National Hunt Chase (10/1 from 20/1), the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase (14/1 from 20/1) and the Turners Novices' Chase (14/1 from 25/1) at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
