'We made the big decision and we're going to stick to it now' - Lulamba cut to 3-1 for Arkle after winning debut over fences

A trip to Sandown could be next for Lulamba after Nicky Henderson's young star justified favouritism on his highly anticipated debut over fences at Exeter.

Owners Joe and Marie Donnelly received the unwelcome news last week they would not be seeing their Champion Hurdle winner State Man in action this season, but they can at least take encouragement from Lulamba’s potential as a top-level chaser after the exciting four-year-old made an eye-catching start over fences under Nico de Boinville.

Lulamba had to jump just eight fences after the four in the back straight were omitted due to the low sun and after hitting the front with four fences remaining, he gave favourite backers no cause for alarm down the home straight as he stretched clear to win by ten lengths from Fingle Bridge.

“He didn’t have enough fences to jump,” said Henderson. “But he enjoyed what he had to jump. It’s slightly frustrating because not only does he absolutely love it, he’s not had the opportunity to learn as much as we would’ve liked him to.

“The ones that were left he jumped nicely and he did everything really well. There were nice horses in the race too, he wasn’t beating mugs."

The Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown could be the next stop, Henderson adding: “He could’ve gone round again if he'd wanted too but the plan is to keep him at two miles for now. We’ll see how he is in the morning and then we might ask him to come back quite quickly and have a look at the Henry VIII."

Lulamba was purchased by the Donnellys and sent to Henderson after making a winning debut in France and came within a neck of winning the Triumph Hurdle after Poniros caused a 100-1 upset at Cheltenham. He reversed that form to win the Ballymore Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle at the Punchestown festival.

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“He’s been very good at home and we made the big decision to go down the chasing route instead of the more traditional hurdle route for what you call the top four-year-olds," added Henderson. “We are going to stick to it, we have to now.

“Exeter is such a good track to start your novices at, it’s as good as anywhere for them. You meet all the fences well and it’s a good galloping track, you’d love to start all your novices here.

“He’s such a chirpy, happy horse; he loves work, life and jumping. He thinks everything is a game and the way he was going out he’s like that every morning, he’s always playing the fool!”

Paddy Power cut Lulamba to 3-1 (from 9-2) for the Arkle at Cheltenham in March. Kopek Des Bordes is their 7-4 favourite after he made a smooth winning debut over fences at Navan later on Monday.

Sporting Life Arkle Chase (Cheltenham, March 10)
Paddy Power: 7-4 Kopek Des Bordes, 3 Lulamba, 8 Romeo Coolio, 14 Kargese, 16 July Flower, Salvator Mundi, 25 bar.

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