Elite route a possibility for Burdett Road

Burdett Road could head to the Elite Hurdle en route to Cheltenham after a “career best” third in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day.

The four-year-old, trained by James Owen, is a useful dual purpose performer who has a Listed win on the Flat to his name alongside a Grade Two triumph over obstacles.

He was sixth in the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day at Ascot in October, after which he switched back to hurdles to claim the Greatwood at Cheltenham in November.

Upped to the highest level at Kempton, Burdett Road and Sam Thomas’ Lump Sum were assumed to be playing supporting roles to the returning champion Constitution Hill and Willie Mullins’ highly talented Lossiemouth.

Sent off a 16-1 chance, Burdett Road led from the tapes until Constitution Hill loomed up beside him over the second last and Lossiemouth began to rally behind.

A mistake at the final flight saw Owen’s gelding surrender second place to the mare, with the trainer now considering the Elite Hurdle for his next outing as the Champion Hurdle looks to beckon come March.

He said: “He’s really well, we were really pleased with his run. He jumped well and then unfortunately just made a mistake at the last but it was still a career best over hurdles.

“He set a nice tempo and jumped well off it. He’s only a four-year-old and we’re very excited for what the future might hold.

“It’s a question now of whether or not we run again before Cheltenham, the Elite Hurdle could be an option but we’ll see what the handicapper does.

“Constitution Hill is going to be exceptionally hard to beat (in the Champion Hurdle), but we’re going to have to give it a go again in March.

“He’s got a lot of ability and he’s a young horse, he’s only four, there’s a bright future ahead of him and there are plenty of miles left to cover on the Flat as well.

“He’s fantastic to have on the yard, it’s lovely to have a horse who can run on all these big days.”