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 disrespectful 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, took on bigger obstacles for the very first time at Exeter earlier in the month.


His 10-length success featured a slight caveat as 4 fences were left out, but the horse has been in such good kind 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 know what to make from it since there weren't adequate fences," Henderson said of to Sky Sports Racing.


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


"Then he jumped the three up the straight actually well. The horses in the race were no mugs at all and I believed the efficiency was pretty 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 incredible character due to the fact that even after the Triumph in 2015 I recommended putting him away, however he was 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 simply so passionate 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, but he's constantly been extremely good in your home. That's why we are going down the beginner chasing roadway instead of the Champion Hurdle route."