Klassical Dream battled back gamely to fend off fellow Willie Mullins-trained stablemate Aramon and win the Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The French import won on his debut for the yard at Christmas and was sent off the 9-4 favourite for the Grade One.

Ruby Walsh caused a minor surprise when opting to ride Klassical Dream and it looked like he had got it wrong at one stage as Aramon and Paul Townend made a late charge and went a neck in front.

LEOPARDSTOWN RESULTS

With Aramon looking sure to add a second Grade One to his tally, Walsh conjured up a fantastic final effort from Klassical Dream and it was enough to see him prevail by a head.

Gordon Elliott's Vision D'Honneur was kept wide throughout by Jack Kennedy and while he briefly looked a threat at the top of the straight, he eventually finished a well-beaten third.

In the first Grade One of the day Joseph O'Brien strengthened his grip on the Triumph Hurdle when Sir Erec made every yard of the running to see off stablemate Gardens Of Babylon and win the Tattersalls Ireland Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Having provided the first two home in a Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham last weekend, O'Brien finds himself in a envious position.

Sir Erec was a classy operator on the level for O'Brien's father, Aidan, and finished third to Stradivarius on Champions Day at Ascot.

He made a winning debut over timber at Christmas, beating Tiger Tap Tap and the two met again here, but Mark Walsh was keen to take the race by the scruff of the neck at an early stage on Sir Erec.

Still an entire, the 13-8 favourite sprinted clear after the last to beat his stable companion by six lengths in a race which provided the first two home in the Triumph Hurdle last year.

Sir Erec is now 5-2 favourite for the Triumph from 6-1 with Paddy Power.