No Klassical Dream in Hatton's Grace as Honeysuckle heads Fairyhouse field
Runaway Punchestown Champion Stayers Hurdle winner Klassical Dream will not make his seasonal reappearance against Honeysuckle after failing to feature among the declarations for the baroneracing.com Hatton's Grace Hurdle (2.40) at Fairyhouse on Sunday.
The seven-year-old, who also stormed to victory in the 2019 Supreme Novices' Hurdle as well as his easy success at the Punchestown festival over three miles, had been expected to take on the unbeaten Champion Hurdle heroine in the 2m4f Grade 1 but has not been declared by Willie Mullins.
The trainer will instead rely on Galway Hurdle winner Saldier and Stormy Ireland, with the duo set to be ridden by Patrick and Danny Mullins respectively.
Fairyhouse Sunday card and betting
Despite Klassical Dream's absence, Honeysuckle heads a high-class field of ten for the Hatton's Grace as she bids become the third horse to complete a hat-trick in the race.
Last year's second Ronald Pump will bid for revenge, while Aintree Hurdle winner Abacadabras also makes his return having missed his intended reappearance in the Morgiana Hurdle earlier this month.
Latest Exhibition – fourth in last season's Irish Grand National – is also among the ten as he switches back to hurdles, with trainer Paul Nolan eyeing a possible tilt at the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Ten will also go to post in the baroneracing.com Drinmore Novice Chase (1.35), including Gabynako and classy Gigginstown-owned pair Beacon Edge and Fury Road. Eight will contest the other baroneracing-backed Grade 1 on the card, the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (1.05).
The Gavin Cromwell-trained My Mate Mozzie features having made a perfect start to life over hurdles, including when winning a Navan Grade 3 by ten lengths earlier this month, and will be ridden by Darragh O'Keeffe for the first time.
Hatton's Grace Hurdle runners and riders
AbacadabrasDavy Russell
Darasso Luke Dempsey
Latest ExhibitionBryan Cooper
Ronald PumpKeith Donoghue
SaldierMr Patrick Mullins
Sams ProfilePhillip Enright
Sire Du BerlaisMark Walsh
HoneysuckleRachael Blackmore
SkyaceJody McGarvey
Stormy IrelandDanny Mullins
Drinmore Novice Chase runners and riders
Beacon Edge Denis O'Regan
Bleu BerryMark Walsh
Cape GentlemanBrian Hayes
Fire AttackShane Fitzgerald
Fury RoadBryan Cooper
GabynakoDarragh O'Keeffe
Grand ParadisDavy Russell
Lifetime AmbitionSean O'Keeffe
Midnight Run Rachael Blackmore
Global EquityJJ Slevin
Royal Bond Novice Hurdle runners and riders
Arctic WarriorMark Walsh
Farout Sean O'Keeffe
Mighty Potter Bryan Cooper
My Mate MozzieDarragh O'Keeffe
Three Stripe LifeDavy Russell
UhtredRachael Blackmore
ImperviousBrian Hayes
StatuaireDanny Mullins
Read more:
All guns blazing: Honeysuckle primed for historic Hatton's Grace hat-trick (Members' Club)
Abacadabras hunting Honeysuckle scalp as Elliott eyes more Fairyhouse riches (Members' Club)
Confirmed runners and riders for the Ladbrokes Trophy and Fighting Fifth
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