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 disrespectful health.


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


His 10-length success included a slight caveat as 4 fences were left out, but the horse has actually been in such great kind at Seven Barrows because that Henderson is lured to head to Sandown on December 6 for the Grade One Henry VIII.


"It was difficult to know what to make from it due to the fact that there weren't sufficient fences," Henderson stated of Lulamba's debut to Sky Sports Racing.


"He had a nice settled-down learning 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 jumped 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 Year Old Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival (Brian Lawless/PA)


"He's come back very well, he's the most amazing 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 love as he's so enthusiastic about what he's doing.


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


"That's where his leaping will be evaluated, whereas Exeter didn't test his jumping, however he's always been excellent in the house. That's why we are decreasing the beginner chasing roadway rather than the Champion Hurdle route."