Burdett Road completes diamond weekend for dual-purpose Gredley family

It was the turn of the more established Burdett Road on Sunday to complete a memorable Cheltenham weekend for James Owen and the siblings bred by the Gredley family.

Twelve months ago Burdett Road had been starting his journey, running well clear in the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial Juvenile Hurdle at this meeting. He has since proved up to Listed level on the Flat by taking the Godolphin Stakes at Newmarket. Sent back jumping, he edged ahead of Be Aware in the feature Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle.

On Saturday's November meeting card, Burdett Road's year-younger half-brother East India Dock had landed the very the same Grade 2 juvenile event by an even wider margin. He looks entitled to be aimed for the Triumph Hurdle, while Owen suggested Burdett Road will continue on a path towards the Champion Hurdle in March.

"It’s lovely to get these horses and do a great job for the Gredley family," said Owen. "We’ve got a great team at home, including my wife, and it’s great they are here today. It’s a shame Tim and Mr [Bill, Tim's father] Gredley aren’t here, but I know they will have been cheering him home."

East India Dock is steered home by Sam Twiston-Davis on SaturdayCredit: john grossick

Burdett Road won last year's Golden Gates Stakes at Royal Ascot for Michael Bell before his switch to Owen, and is one of the offspring of sprinting star Muhaarar to have made an impression in the National Hunt world along with Champion Bumper hero A Dream To Share. 

East India Dock, meanwhile, is a son of dual-purpose sire Golden Horn and won twice for James Fanshawe.

They are both out of the unraced Galileo mare Diamond Bangle, a sister of Group 1 hero Rip Van Winkle who was bought by the Gredleys' Stetchworth & Middle Park Studs for 140,000gns from Tattersalls in 2016.

The Gredley family recently sold the pair's half brother Dullingham (by Harry Angel), who achieved very little in two starts. They have a yearling colt by Planteur and a filly foal by Palace Pier out of the mare, who was last covered by Mostahdaf.

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