Lulamba In The Running For Grade One Glory At Sandown

Nicky Henderson is seeking to the Betfair Henry VIII Novices' Chase with Lulamba as he has come out of his debut over fences in impolite health.


The four-year-old, a top-class hurdler who was 2nd in the Triumph last season before winning Punchestown's Champion Four Year Old Hurdle, dealt with bigger barriers for the very first time at Exeter previously in the month.


His 10-length success came with a slight caveat as four fences were omitted, however the horse has remained in such good form at Seven Barrows since that Henderson is tempted to head to Sandown on December 6 for the Grade One Henry VIII.


"It was tough to understand what to make of it because there weren't enough fences," Henderson stated of Lulamba's debut to Sky Sports Racing.


"He had a good settled-down knowing over the first 4 fences and after that the next next mile and a quarter didn't have any fences since of the low sun in the back straight.


"Then he leapt the three up the actually well. The horses in the race were no mugs at all and I thought the efficiency was pretty smooth.


Lulamba winning the Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival (Brian Lawless/PA)


"He's returned very well, he's the most remarkable character since even after the Triumph in 2015 I was all for putting him away, however he was so fresh. We were in fact going to take him to Aintree.


"This fellow can buck and squeal and play a video game, he's a horse you have to like as he's just so enthusiastic about what he's doing.


"He's come out of it so well, we're tempted to come back rather rapidly and head to Sandown the weekend after next and have a look at the Henry VIII.


"That's where his leaping will be tested, whereas Exeter didn't evaluate his jumping, but he's always been excellent at home. That's why we are decreasing the novice chasing roadway instead of the Champion Hurdle route."