A KLASSICAL NIGHTMARE

KLASSICAL DREAM suffered a shock first defeat in the care of Willie Mullins to send tremors through the Champion Hurdle betting.

Last season’s runaway Supreme Novices’ Hurdle hero was sent off the 2-5 hotpot to make it five wins from as many starts for Ireland’s champion trainer in Punchestown’s Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle.

Paul Townend produced his mount with only the final flight to jump, but Klassical Dream flattened out into third place on the run-in as his stablemate Saldier, off track since breaking his nose in a fall at Naas 371 days earlier, beat Petit Mouchoir by a length and a half.

“We’ve always liked Saldier, but it was just whether he would come back from his injury – his nose was in bits,” said Mullins (right), landing the race for the 10th time.

“Klassical Dream threw himself at the first hurdle and then he was just too keen. I think he’ll improve.”

Bookies are debating who is the most likely winner at Cheltenham on March 10.

Klassical Dream was pushed out to 7-1 with Ladbrokes, who promoted dual winner Buveur D’air to 4-1 favourite.

William Hill’s odds compilers still favour Klassical Dream at 4-1, ahead of Buveur D’air and Saldier at 5-1. Sky Bet list all three horses at 5-1.

Mullins’ 2015 Champion Hurdler Faugheen survived a fright or two to make a winning debut over fences in the Naas Oil Beginners Chase.

HAPPY DIVA fended off Brelan D’AS by a neck to claim a £90,032 winner’s cheque at Cheltenham.