BURDETT ROAD never saw another rival as he galloped relentlessly to Greatwood Hurdle glory.
It was a true champion’s ride from Harry Cobden as he judged the pace to perfection, putting the cherry on top of a memorable weekend for trainer James Owen.
PABurdett Road (7-2) made all the running to win the Greatwood Hurdle[/caption]
Barely 24 hours earlier, Owen, who is becoming a serious force on the Flat and over jumps, watched exciting prospect East India Dock bolt up in the Triumph Hurdle Trial.
And then this horse, who was a leading candidate for the Triumph himself this time last year, scooped the thick-end of £60,000 in one of the biggest handicap hurdles of the season.
He beamed: “He settled lovely and Harry gave him a fantastic ride. He jumped impeccably for a four-year-old and for me was just idling up the hill.
“It looked briefly like he was going to get caught but when the other horse came to him he has just gone again.
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“It was a great performance from such a young horse in a strong race, I am really looking forward to the rest of the season with him. It’s been an amazing few days.”
The Greatwood has been hit and miss in terms of strength in depth in recent years, but this year’s renewal looked a strong one with several young improving horses with bundles of untapped potential in the line-up.
Burdett Road, whose sole defeat over hurdles to this point had been at the hands of the top-class Sir Gino, was one of them, and Cobden set his stall out right from the off when sending the horse into the lead.
Unbeaten mare Dysart Enos was nipping at his heels most of the way but started to run out of steam after the last, so the final challenge came from Be Aware who was smuggled craftily into the race by Harry Skelton.
But no sooner had that rival closed to within half a length than the 7-2 second favourite found extra to win a shade cosily, much to the delight of his jockey.
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 when he was challenged on the run-in. He has improved a hell of a lot and is only going one way.
“He’ll need to improve plenty again to enter the Champion Hurdle picture but he is still young and there is more to come.”
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