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 to emerge as a Champion Hurdle candidate with a commanding success in the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle.

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

It was also the best winner yet in the career of Owen, who started off as a dominant force in the Arab racing circuit before becoming an ever-increasing presence in the thoroughbred world.

A year on from his Graded 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 2025 Derby contender Wimbledon Hawkeye.

Harry Cobden, who has played a prominent role in the emergence of Owen over jumps, allowed Burdett Road to take his trademark position from the front but raced much cooler than when blitzing his rivals here 12 months ago.

A son of top sprinter Muhaarar, Burdett Road may not be bred for hurdling, but he remained slick throughout as Cobden dictated a strong tempo, taking a wider passage in search of better ground.

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

A confident Cobden kicked and the front two traded blows in front 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 just half a length.

“It was a great performance,” said Owen. “Tim [Gredley] and I both agreed we were going to change tactics. We learned a lot with him 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.

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

“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 on Old Guard in this race nine years, and he said: “James was keen to go forward and it was absolutely the right thing to do as there wasn’t much speed on paper.

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

“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 and 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.

“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 after falling two out. It was the third fatality at Cheltenham on Sunday after the deaths of Abuffalosoldier and Bangers And Cash.

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