Lulamba In The Running For Grade One Glory At Sandown

Nicky Henderson is looking to the Betfair Henry VIII Novices' Chase with Lulamba as he has come out of his launching over fences in impolite health.


The four-year-old, a top-class hurdler who was second in the Triumph last season before winning Punchestown's Champion Four Years of age Hurdle, dealt with bigger barriers for the very first time at Exeter earlier in the month.


His 10-length success came with a small caveat as four fences were left out, but the horse has actually remained in such excellent 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 knowing 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 jumped the 3 up the straight really well. The horses in the race were no mugs at all and I believed the efficiency was quite smooth.


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


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


"This fellow can buck and squeal and play a game, he's a horse you need to like 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 quickly and head to Sandown the weekend after next and take a look at the Henry VIII.


"That's where his leaping will be checked, whereas Exeter didn't check his jumping, however he's always been great in the house. That's why we are going down the novice chasing road rather than the Champion Hurdle route."