Henderson narrows down Lulamba’s route to Cheltenham

Lulamba is set for just one more outing before the Arkle, with a February trip to Newbury for the Game Spirit Chase or Warwick’s Kingmaker Novices’ Chase on the same afternoon earmarked for the exciting chaser’s Cheltenham Festival tune-up.

Nicky Henderson’s Grade One-winning hurdler opened his account at the highest level over fences when following up a taking Exeter chasing debut to add his name to a glittering roll of honour in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown on Saturday.

Henderson suggested in the immediate aftermath he would ideally bank two more runs for experience before March’s showpiece event at Prestbury Park, but minded to skip a Christmas visit to Kempton for the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase, Lulamba could now take a tried-and tested route to the Arkle.

The Seven Barrows handler has previously used a Newbury run in open company to prepare both Sprinter Sacre and Altior for the Festival, while Warwick was the venue for Jonbon in 2023.

“You won’t get two into him, as I just can’t see where they are, they are not split up enough,” said Henderson.

“You’ve got the Game Spirit or the Kingmaker which are on the same weekend and I’m not inclined to go to Kempton at Christmas. It was only three weeks from Exeter to yesterday and then it’s only three weeks again – I don’t think he needs to be doing that at this stage.

“It’s going to have to be done in one and at least then he will have had three runs before the Arkle.”