Lulamba In The Running For Grade One Glory At Sandown

Nicky Henderson is aiming to the Betfair Henry VIII Novices' Chase with Lulamba 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 Champion Four Years of age Hurdle, took on bigger challenges for the very first time at Exeter earlier in the month.


His 10-length success came with a minor caveat as 4 fences were omitted, however the horse has actually been in such great form at Seven Barrows since that Henderson is lured to head to Sandown on December 6 for the Grade One Henry VIII.


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


"He had a great settled-down learning over the very first 4 fences and then the next next mile and a quarter didn't have any fences due to the fact that of the low sun in the back straight.


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


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


"He's come back exceptionally well, he's the most fantastic character because even after the Triumph last year I recommended putting him away, however he was just so fresh. We were in fact going to take him to Aintree.


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


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


"That's where his jumping will be tested, whereas Exeter didn't check his jumping, however he's always been great in your home. That's why we are decreasing the novice chasing roadway instead of the Champion Hurdle path."