Dual-purpose performers Burdett Road and Palladium have set their sights on the 2025 Melbourne Cup, according to trainers James Owen and Nicky Henderson.

Owen revealed that Burdett Road will target the prestigious 3200m race at Flemington in November after his jumps campaign, which will likely include next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

Burdett Road has quickly become one of Britain’s top dual-purpose horses, with four wins from eleven starts, including a Listed victory on the flat and a Grade 2 success over hurdles.

The son of Muhaarar is set to contest either the Champion Hurdle or County Hurdle at Cheltenham, but Owen is also excited about a flat campaign, potentially culminating in a Melbourne Cup bid.

“We’re still keen to have a flat campaign with him, hopefully ending in the Melbourne Cup 2025, where he has a lovely mark,” Owen said.

Burdett Road’s biggest flat win was an 8-1/2-length victory in last September’s Listed Godolphin Stakes (2414m) at Newmarket, followed by a sixth-place finish in the Group 2 British Champions Long Distance Cup (3118m) at Ascot.

Also in the mix for a Melbourne Cup bid is Henderson’s Palladium, who became the most expensive horse ever sent over jumps after being purchased for €1.4 million (AU$2.3m). The four-year-old son of Gleneagles made a winning hurdling debut at Huntingdon and is set to contest the Grade 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Palladium, a winner of three of eight starts, has already proven himself on the flat in Germany, and Henderson believes the colt could be a serious Melbourne Cup contender.

“I think he’ll be winning a Melbourne Cup,” Henderson said, adding that Royal Ascot and the Melbourne Cup are in the cards for Palladium.