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 actually come out of his debut over fences in disrespectful health.


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


His 10 included a small caveat as 4 fences were omitted, however the horse has actually remained in such great type at Seven Barrows because that Henderson is lured to head to Sandown on December 6 for the Grade One Henry VIII.


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


"He had a nice settled-down knowing over the very first 4 fences and after that 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 efficiency was pretty smooth.


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


"He's come back very well, he's the most incredible character due to the fact that even after the Triumph last year I was all for putting him away, however he was so fresh. We were actually going to take him to Aintree.


"This fellow can buck and screech and play a video game, he's a horse you have to like as he's so passionate 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 jumping will be tested, whereas Exeter didn't check his jumping, but he's always been excellent in the house. That's why we are decreasing the novice chasing roadway instead of the Champion Hurdle route."