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 actually come out of his launching 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 Years of age Hurdle, tackled larger obstacles for the very first time at Exeter earlier in the month.


His 10-length success included a small caveat as 4 fences were omitted, but the horse has been in such great kind at Seven Barrows because 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 of it since there weren't sufficient fences," Henderson said of Lulamba's launching to Sky .


"He had a good settled-down knowing over the very first 4 fences and after that the next next mile and a quarter didn't have any fences since of the low sun in the back straight.


"Then he leapt the three up the straight truly well. The horses in the race were no mugs at all and I thought the efficiency was pretty smooth.


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


"He's come back very well, he's the most amazing character because even after the Triumph in 2015 I was all for putting him away, however he was simply so fresh. We were really going to take him to Aintree.


"This fellow can buck and squeal and play a game, he's a horse you need to love 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 rapidly and head to Sandown the weekend after next and have an appearance 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 novice chasing roadway rather than the Champion Hurdle path."