Lulamba In The Running For Grade One Glory At Sandown

Nicky Henderson is wanting to the Betfair Henry VIII Chase with Lulamba as he has 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, took on bigger barriers for the first time at Exeter previously in the month.


His 10-length success came with a slight caveat as four fences were left out, however the horse has remained in such good kind at Seven Barrows since that Henderson is tempted to head to Sandown on December 6 for the Grade One Henry VIII.


"It was difficult to know what to make from it because there weren't enough fences," Henderson stated of Lulamba's debut to Sky Sports Racing.


"He had a great settled-down knowing over the 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 truly well. The horses in the race were no mugs at all and I thought 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 exceptionally well, he's the most amazing character because even after the Triumph last year I recommended putting him away, but 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 like as he's so passionate 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 a look at the Henry VIII.


"That's where his leaping will be checked, whereas Exeter didn't check his leaping, however he's always been great in the house. That's why we are going down the amateur chasing road instead of the Champion Hurdle path."