The classy dual-purpose horse Burdett Road capped off an excellent weekend for James Owen when making all to land the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham in the hands of Harry Cobden.
A wide-margin winner of the Grade 2 Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle at this meeting twelve months ago, Burdett Road was making his first start over hurdles since he finished second to subsequent Grade 1 winner Sir Gino at Cheltenham in January.
The four-year-old son of Muhaarar, who was an emphatic winner on the flat in Listed company on Newmarket's Rowley Mile, was last seen finishing just seven-and-three-quarter lengths behind staying king Kyprios in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot in October.
Entering handicap company for the first time over hurdles, Harry Cobden made his intentions clear from the outset, sending Burdett Road straight into an early advantage. All the pre-race talk had been about Dysart Enos, who after travelling strong under Jonathan Burke, looked to hold every chance as the field turned for home.
Fergal O'Brien's 85/40 favourite moved into contention before three-out, but once asked the question, she was unable to get on terms with Burdett Road, who continued to find out in front. Dan and Harry Skelton's Be Aware emerged from the rear of the pack to throw down a challenger to the longtime leader and whilst it looked for a brief moment that he might get past, Burdett Road pulled out more when required to go on and score by half a length. Dysart Enos finished back in third.
It topped a fine weekend at Cheltenham for Newmarket-based trainer James Owen and owners the Gredley family after their smart flat performer East India Dock, a half-brother to today's Greatwood winner, stamped his Triumph Hurdle claims in the same Grade 2 juvenile hurdle Burdett Road won twelve months ago.
"It was a great performance. Tim (Gredley) and I both agreed that we were going to change tactics, we've learnt a lot on the Flat with him this time and we wanted to make the running," said Owen.
"He settled lovely, and Harry gave him a fantastic ride, jumped impeccably for a four-year-old and for me, he was just idling up the hill.
"When the other horse came to him, he has gone again. He looked like he was going to get caught but he's just gone again.
"He's a lovely horse and it's a great performance from a four-year-old in a strong race. This horse wants cut in the ground as well, he'll be better with a bit of give, so we're really looking forward to the rest of the season with him.
"It's the first time he's really given himself a chance in a race; jumped, settled, breezed and he's learnt a lot."
The 7/2 winner now looks set for a step up in grade, with Owen eyeing a potential tilt at the Unibet Champion Hurdle back at Prestbury Park next March.
"It's still a long way to go but obviously on his Flat form, he's more than capable of getting there and we'll aim that way. I'm not sure where we'll go next but I'm sure it will be a graded race somewhere.
"It's lovely to get these good horses and do the job for the Gredley family, we've got a great team at home, my wife's a big part of the team and it's just a shame Tim and the Gredley family aren't here, but I'm sure they'll be cheering at home."
Harry Cobden said: "Fair play to James, he said if there is no pace in the race today let's rock and roll. He settled, jumped great and gave himself a chance today.
"He found plenty when he needed to. He has improved a hell of a lot and is only going one way."
On whether Burdett Road is a candidate for the Unibet Champion Hurdle, Cobden added: "He has obviously got a lot to improve but you would have to chuck him into the mix because once he's done with handicapping there aren't many other places for him to go."
