Burdett Highway saved on gamely to expire a well-backed winner of the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham and ignite Champion Hurdle goals for connections.
James Owen’s 7-2 likelihood powered clear three out together with market chief Dysart Enos and bought the higher hand over that rival as soon as turning into the house straight.
Be Conscious briefly appeared an enormous hazard when popping out of the chasing pack to mount a late problem, however Harry Cobden was all the time in management on the Gredley family-owned Burdett Highway they usually prevailed by half a size.
Coach James Owen – whose East India Dock impressed on Saturday in the identical colors – mentioned: “It was an excellent efficiency. Tim (Gredley) and I each agreed that we had been going to vary techniques, we have learnt lots on the Flat with him this time and we wished to make the operating.
“He settled pretty and Harry gave him a incredible experience, jumped impeccably for a four-year-old and for me, he was simply idling up the hill.
“When the opposite horse got here to him, he has gone once more. He appeared like he was going to get caught however he is simply gone once more.
“He is a beautiful horse and it is an excellent efficiency from a four-year-old in a powerful race – and this horse desires reduce within the floor as effectively, he’ll be higher with a little bit of give, so we’re actually wanting ahead to the remainder 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.”
Requested about Champion Hurdle aspirations, he added: “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 is pretty to get these good horses and do the job for the Gredley household, we have an excellent workforce at residence, my spouse’s an enormous a part of the workforce and it is only a disgrace Tim and the Gredley household aren’t right here, however I am positive they’re going to be cheering at residence.”
Burdett Highway gained his first two begins over hurdles final season earlier than ending second to Sir Gino and he was then pressured to overlook the Triumph on the Pageant.
Nonetheless, he bought again on monitor with a profitable Flat marketing campaign this summer time, which included a wide-margin win in Listed firm at Newmarket.
Profitable rider Cobden mentioned: “All credit to James and the job he has done with this horse. He said there was no speed in the race today, so let’s rock and roll – the horse settled nicely, jumped great and just gave himself a chance.
“He discovered loads when wanted to. He is improved a hell of lots and he even did that this summer time on the Flat, so he is solely going method.
“He’s obviously got a lot to improve, but you have to chuck him in the (Champion Hurdle) mix now, because once he’s done with handicapping, he hasn’t got many other places to go.”
Burdett Highway is 33-1 for the Champion Hurdle with most bookmakers.
