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 come out of his debut over fences in rude 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 obstacles for the very first time at Exeter earlier in the month.


His 10-length success came with a small caution as 4 fences were left out, but the horse has actually been in such good type 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 due to the fact that there weren't adequate fences," Henderson said of Lulamba's launching to Sky Sports Racing.


"He had a good settled-down learning over the first four 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 three up the straight actually well. The horses in the race were no mugs at all and I thought the performance was pretty smooth.


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


"He's returned incredibly well, he's the most incredible character because even after the Triumph in 2015 I recommended putting him away, but he was just so fresh. We were actually going to take him to Aintree.


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


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


"That's where his jumping will be tested, whereas Exeter didn't test his jumping, but he's always been great in the house. That's why we are going down the novice chasing roadway rather than the Champion Hurdle route."