JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle
Grade 2, Cheltenham 12:35
£80,000 guaranteed,
3yo only,
2m 87y, Class 1  
Saturday 18th November 2023

1 Burdett Road 9/4
2 An Bradan Feasa 8/1
3 Milan Tino 6/4F
11 ran Distances: 6½l, ½l, 5½l
Time: 4m 14.47s (slow by 25.47s)

Burdett Road, a Royal Ascot victor, subtly signaled his potential for the Triumph Hurdle with a striking performance.

Now under the guidance of emerging handler James Owen, formerly associated with Michael Bell, Burdett Road showcased his adaptability. Transitioning from success in the Golden Gates Stakes on the flat in June, he commendably contested a couple of Group Threes.

Under Owen's tutelage for a hurdling campaign, the Gredley Family-owned Burdett Road effortlessly notched a victory at Huntingdon. However, the Cheltenham challenge presented a higher tier of competition. Facing six other accomplished winners and the well-regarded French contender Milan Tino, the race posed numerous inquiries. Burdett Road, priced at 9-4, emphatically addressed all uncertainties.

Guided with remarkable confidence by jockey Harry Cobden, Burdett Road skillfully navigated the first-flight chaos caused by Parish Star. Even when An Bradan Feasa slipped away from the field, leaving others struggling, Cobden maintained composure. He strategically conserved energy before making a decisive move approaching the final obstacle. Despite an imperfect stride at the last hurdle, Burdett Road showcased ample reserves, accelerating impressively up the hill to secure victory by a commanding six and a half lengths.

BetGoodwiin

“When he won at Huntingdon, he was keen and did everything the wrong way,” said Owen.

“We had to do one of two things today, either make the running or drop him in and we all decided we would drop him in and Harry has given him a lovely, cool ride. He will have learned a lot on the way round.

“With the rain coming last night, I was so nervous this morning, but for a Flat horse he is tough and God, didn’t he come up that hill well.

“He is a very tough horse and exciting going forward, this was a Triumph trial and that is our aim. On good ground, he is going to be exciting. He may go to Chepstow or the Adonis.

“He is the one we are waking up for every morning and looking forward to seeing him again.”

Cobden said: “James gave me a free hand and we made the decision to drop him in as he was too free at Huntingdon and if he is going to be a good horse then he is going to need to learn how to race properly. He’s a very classy horse isn’t he.

“He missed a few hurdles on the way round and could easily have got keen. I was just trying to put him into the bottom of them so I didn’t light him up with a good jump.

“He’s obviously a good horse and March is very much agenda now.

“I was still on the bridle (coming down the hill) and I suppose that is what it’s like if you are Paul Townend!

“It was really nice and he’s a proper little horse, he winged the second last and had a dream run though. You can go for gaps that possibly aren’t really there on a horse that isn’t travelling quite so well and when I pushed the button turning in he jumped the last and quickened up nicely.

“Paul (Nicholls) has a few nice juveniles but none probably as good as that.”

Boylesports

JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial
(Registered As The Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle) (Grade 2)
£80,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 2m 87y, Class 1
11 ran
Going: Soft

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Burdett Road 3 11-0 2 James Owen Harry Cobden 9/4
2 6½ An Bradan Feasa 3 11-0 Jack Jones Tom Bellamy 8/1
3 ½ Milan Tino 3 11-0 N George & A Zetterholm Jonjo O'Neill Jr 6/4F
4 5½ Eagle Prince 3 11-0 Brian Ellison Nico de Boinville 33/1
6 3¾ Gifted Angel 3 11-0 Tom Dascombe Gavin Sheehan 5/1
7 19 I Still Have Faith 3 11-0 B F Brookhouse Jack Quinlan 18/1
4  7 Ellerton 3 11-0 Syd Hosie James Best 33/1
10 9½ Seraphic 3 11-0 Simon Pearce Brendan Powell 100/1
CO    Knight Of Allen 3 11-0 Jane Williams David Noonan 22/1
PU    Galactic Jack 3 11-0 Syd Hosie Jonathan Burke 40/1
UR Parish Star 3 10-7 Nigel Hawke Lorcan Murtagh 300/1