Burdett Road given fine front-running Harry Cobden ride to make all in the Greatwood Hurdle

A year on from James Owen promising Burdett Road would be the real deal, the four-year-old justified his huge reputation with a commanding success in the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle to emerge as a Champion Hurdle candidate.

His freegoing mentality over hurdles was the only concern for backers of the 7-2 second favourite, but his professionalism and raw talent ensured he put up the performance of his life.

This was also the biggest winner so far in the career of Owen, who started as a dominant player on the Arab racing circuit but is now an increasing presence in the thoroughbred world.

A year on from his Graded-race breakthrough in the Triumph Trial at this meeting, the Newmarket trainer now has a contender for the Cheltenham Festival’s signature hurdling contest – a race for which Burdett Road is now as short as 25-1 – as well as a 2025 Derby contender in Wimbledon Hawkeye.

Harry Cobden, who has played a prominent role in the emergence of Owen's stable as a force over jumps, allowed Burdett Road to take his trademark position at the front of affairs but racing more coolly than when blitzing his rivals here 12 months ago.

Burdett Road: made a flawless return to hurdles to land the Greatwood

Burdett Road (Harry Cobden, yellow silks, white cap) wins the Greatwood HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

A son of the top sprinter Muhaarar, Burdett Road may not be bred for hurdling but he was slick over the obstacles as Cobden dictated a strong tempo, taking a wide passage in search of better ground.

Only Dysart Enos, labelled by some pundits as the best-handicapped jumper in Britain and Ireland, looked set to threaten as Jonathan Burke manoeuvred Fergal O’Brien's stable star into a position to strike, her unbeaten record under rules on the line.

A confident Cobden kicked and the front two traded blows with little between them. Only in the final 100 yards did the gutsy mare finally give way as Burdett Road approached the line with Be Aware, representing the red-hot Dan and Harry Skelton partnership, surging on to get within half a length.

“It was a great performance,” said Owen. “Tim Gredley [joint-owner] and I agreed we were going to change tactics. We learned a lot with Burdett Road on the Flat and wanted to make the running. He settled lovely and Harry gave him a fantastic ride.

“He jumped impeccably for a four-year-old and was just idling up the hill. It looked like he was going to get caught but when the other horse came to him he’s just gone again.

“It was a strong race and he really wants cut in the ground. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season with him.

“There’s a long way to go until the Champion Hurdle. Obviously on his Flat form he’s more than capable of getting there. We’ll aim that way and I’m not sure where we’ll go next, although I’m sure it will be a Graded race.”

Much has changed since a teenage Cobden announced himself with victory aboard Old Guard in this race nine years ago, and he said: “James was keen for us to go forward and it was absolutely the right thing to do as there wasn’t much speed in the race on paper.

"He gave himself a chance in front because he looked at all his hurdles, jumped nicely and picked up when asked.

James Owen greets Harry Cobden after Burdett Road (groom Lucia Guria) was victorious in the GreatwoodCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

“He’s improved tremendously. His jumping has got better, he’s relaxed more and we’re seeing the effects of that as all he’ll do is keep improving. Whether he’s Champion Hurdle class I’m not quite sure, but he won’t be far off that by the end of the season hopefully.”

Dysart Enos, sent off the 85-40 favourite, was beaten three and a half lengths but Burke was encouraged by her first start since January.

He said: "She jumped the best she’s ever done. We were hoping the speed of the race would help her and it did. Every time she saw a hurdle she attacked it. I always felt I was on the winner. She even gave me the confidence after two out to sit again and it was only after the point of the bend that I thought I wouldn't win.

“The winner is a good horse and there are plenty of positives to take from the run of our mare. We can be more adventurous with the way we ride her in future, too."

There was a sad postscript as Napper Tandy suffered a fatal injury when falling two flights out. It was the third fatality at Cheltenham on Sunday after the deaths of Abuffalosoldier and Bangers And Cash.

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