Lulamba In The Running For Grade One Glory At Sandown

Nicky Henderson is seeking to the Betfair Henry VIII Novices' Chase with as he has actually come out of his launching 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 included a minor caveat as 4 fences were omitted, however the horse has actually been in such great type at Seven Barrows because that Henderson is tempted to head to Sandown on December 6 for the Grade One Henry VIII.


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


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


"Then he leapt the 3 up the straight really well. The horses in the race were no mugs at all and I believed the performance was pretty smooth.


Lulamba winning the Ballymore Champion Four Years Of Age Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival (Brian Lawless/PA)


"He's returned very well, he's the most amazing character since even after the Triumph last year I recommended putting him away, but he was so fresh. We were in fact going to take him to Aintree.


"This fellow can buck and squeal and play a game, he's a horse you need to enjoy as he's simply so passionate about what he's doing.


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


"That's where his leaping will be evaluated, whereas Exeter didn't check his jumping, but he's always been excellent at home. That's why we are going down the amateur chasing roadway rather than the Champion Hurdle route."