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 come out of his debut over fences in impolite health.


The four-year-old, a top-class hurdler who was 2nd in the Triumph last season before winning Punchestown's Champion Four Year Old Hurdle, tackled larger barriers for the very first time at Exeter previously in the month.


His 10-length success featured a small caution as four fences were left out, however the horse has actually been in such good kind at Seven Barrows since that is lured to head to Sandown on December 6 for the Grade One Henry VIII.


"It was tough to understand what to make from 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 knowing over the very first four fences and then 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 three up the straight truly 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 extremely well, he's the most remarkable character because even after the Triumph last year I was all for putting him away, but he was 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 need to love as he's simply so enthusiastic about what he's doing.


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


"That's where his jumping will be evaluated, whereas Exeter didn't check his jumping, however he's always been great at home. That's why we are going down the amateur chasing roadway instead of the Champion Hurdle route."