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 come out of his debut over fences in disrespectful 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 bigger barriers for the first time at Exeter earlier in the month.


His 10-length success a small caveat as 4 fences were omitted, but the horse has actually remained in such excellent kind at Seven Barrows since that Henderson is lured to head to Sandown on December 6 for the Grade One Henry VIII.


"It was tough 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 good settled-down learning over the first four fences and after that 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 three up the straight truly well. The horses in the race were no mugs at all and I believed the efficiency was quite smooth.


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


"He's returned extremely well, he's the most incredible character because 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 simply so enthusiastic about what he's doing.


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


"That's where his jumping will be evaluated, whereas Exeter didn't test his leaping, however he's constantly been excellent in your home. That's why we are decreasing the newbie chasing road instead of the Champion Hurdle route."