Klassical Dream wins Supreme Novices Hurdle as Ruby Walsh gets 6-1 winner in opening race of the 2019 Cheltenham Festival
Klassical Dream sparked poignant scenes as he opened the Festival with a win in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh.
The 6-1 shot runs in the name of Jo Coleman. It had been the dream of her husband John to have a Festival horse but he died last summer from bone marrow cancer.
Jo made sure he was present for his greatest win by having some of his ashes in her handbag.
![Ruby Walsh celebrates after securing an early win on 6-1 shot Klassical Dream on Tuesday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/12/13/10881284-6799599-image-a-39_1552398550384.jpg)
Ruby Walsh celebrates after securing an early win on 6-1 shot Klassical Dream on Tuesday
![Klassical Dream was an impressive winner in opening race of this year's Cheltenham Festival](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/12/13/10881282-6799599-image-a-40_1552398553347.jpg)
Klassical Dream was an impressive winner in opening race of this year’s Cheltenham Festival
![The grandstand watch on as the field approach in the first race of this year's rainy Festival](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/12/13/10881476-6799599-image-a-48_1552399085569.jpg)
The grandstand watch on as the field approach in the first race of this year’s rainy Festival
She said: ‘John bought Klassical Dream two years ago and dreamed he’d be a good horse.
‘This is mind-blowing. I’ve brought some of John’s ashes with me because he said he wanted to be here but he knew his time was limited.’
Mullins completed a double when Paul Townend-ridden Duc Des Genievres won the Novices’ Chase but Mullins and Walsh were denied a win when favourite Benie Des Dieux fell at the last in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle handing victory to Dan Skelton’s Roksana.
![Princess Anne was among the punters watching the race early on Tuesday afternoon](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/12/13/10881480-6799599-image-a-49_1552399127608.jpg)
Princess Anne was among the punters watching the race early on Tuesday afternoon
![There was a false start ahead of the first race, which delayed the famous roar of the crowd](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/12/13/10881468-6799599-image-a-51_1552399171911.jpg)
There was a false start ahead of the first race, which delayed the famous roar of the crowd
![Walsh (centre, red and yellow stripes) lines up at the start of the race, which had a false start](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/12/13/10880912-6799599-image-a-30_1552398017076.jpg)
Walsh (centre, red and yellow stripes) lines up at the start of the race, which had a false start
![Walsh is one of the biggest names at the Festival and he got off to the perfect start](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/12/13/10880916-6799599-image-a-31_1552398042326.jpg)
Walsh is one of the biggest names at the Festival and he got off to the perfect start
![Bryony Frost, rider of Brandon Castle, walks to her mount ahead of the Cheltenham opener](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/12/13/10880472-6799599-image-a-29_1552397412706.jpg)
Bryony Frost, rider of Brandon Castle, walks to her mount ahead of the Cheltenham opener