Lulamba In The Running For Grade One Glory At Sandown

Nicky Henderson is wanting to the Betfair Henry VIII Novices' Chase with Lulamba as he has actually come out of his launching 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 Years of age Hurdle, dealt with bigger barriers for the very first time at Exeter previously in the month.


His 10-length success featured a as four fences were omitted, however the horse has actually been in such great form at Seven Barrows since that Henderson is lured to head to Sandown on December 6 for the Grade One Henry VIII.


"It was difficult to understand what to make of it due to the fact that there weren't adequate fences," Henderson stated 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 because 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 thought the efficiency was quite smooth.


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


"He's come back incredibly well, he's the most remarkable character due to the fact that even after the Triumph last year I recommended 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 video 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 tempted to come back rather rapidly 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 check his jumping, but he's constantly been great at home. That's why we are decreasing the newbie chasing road rather than the Champion Hurdle path."