Lulamba makes perfect chase start at Exeter

Lulamba made a winning debut over fences in the Royal Oak, Heavitree “Chasing Excellence” Beginners’ Chase at Exeter.

Nicky Henderson’s four-year-old emerged as the leading juvenile hurdler in Britain last season, finishing second to Poniros in the Triumph Hurdle before then reversing that form at Punchestown.

Making his chasing debut in what looked a decent race on paper, Lulamba was in receipt of an 8lb weight allowance against the likes of 148-rated hurdler Salver, with that runner helping to force the pace with previous Grade Two winner Tripoli Flyer, while Nico de Boinville was content to sit third.

Low sun meant the number of fences was reduced from 12 to eight but Lulamba negotiated the ones he did have to jump with aplomb, barring one slow leap, with the 2-5 favourite winning by a comfortable 10 lengths from the fast-finishing Fingle Bridge.

De Boinville told Racing TV: “That was fairly smooth I think. I was probably one of the only ones disappointed the fences were taken out down the back as the more fences they can jump in public the better.

“He was a bit active before the race, he tried to go back to the stables before coming out on to the track but he was just very fresh.

“He’s not slow but you can see from the way he jumps he could definitely get further, he’s very clean and makes a lovely shape. More like a Ballyburn than your hurdling types.

“I think over time he’s a horse to be patient with and pick your battles carefully.

“They’ve gone a nice gallop but we were still bunched up turning in before it turned into a bit of a sprint.”

Paddy Power make Lulamba a 3-1 shot for the Arkle at Cheltenham in March, with William Hill going 4-1 about his Festival chance.

Henderson said: “He’s just loved it from day one but this horse loves life, you could see going out he was just playing. Every morning he wakes up happy.

“This is one of the most lovely novice chase courses you could find, there are no traps – apart from the sun!

“Where do we go next, well it might be in three weeks’ time (Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown). His future is in front of him and I don’t know how far he is going to get. I think you have to stick to two miles and we’ll see if he’s fast and sharp enough for an Arkle.

“I think he could get further and in time he’ll get a lot further but at the moment, as Nico says, there’s no need. He could have gone round again today but that is not because he’s short of speed.

“I would think it will be the Henry VIII in three weeks.

“We did have him in the Grade One for four-year-olds at Auteuil yesterday but that was just to see how the schooling went and from day one it was obvious this was the thing to do, he’s very clever on his feet.

“When you are that good, it seems a pity to mess around over hurdles.”