It wasn’t the intended preparation for Lulamba, and Nicky Henderson would have been forgiven for pulling his novice chaser out on Saturday, given the conditions.
But Lulamba came through, and not only that, he strengthened his place at the top of the betting for the Arkle Chase, which is now just four weeks away.
Running on the testing ground against horses who are proven chasers was not plan A. Still, Henderson had little choice, so desperate was he to get another run into Lulamba before his Cheltenham Festival bid.
Things went well, and it’s now all eyes on Prestbury Park in four weeks.
Arkle Favourite Now One of Henderson’s Big Hopes
Looking through the intended runners for the March festival, and Lulamba is certainly one of Nicky Henderson’s top chances of a winner at the meeting, and by default, one of Britain’s best chances of beating the Irish.
All about class, this test was never going to show Lulamba in his best light, but it does show that he’s got the ability to dig deep when needed, and he did it on tough ground, should that come up at the festival.
Going away from the field in the closing stages, after battling throughout, Lulamba went on to record a winning distance of six and a half lengths in what eventually became an easy success.
Closing in and then going ahead just before the second last, the race was put to bed with a nice move, and after hitting the front, his victory never really looked in any doubt.
After the race, clearly very happy with his horse and what he’d seen on track, Nicky Henderson said:
“He needed the experience. That is why we were here. He’ll have learned a lot. I really don’t think that’s his ground. Nico and I walked around this morning, and we were happy to run, but I think he’s better on good ground. He didn’t need a race, but he needed that experience, and going with those older horses who will go a proper good gallop is where he’ll learn more.”
Even More Expected from Arkle Favourite
I think the biggest takeaway from the race, and from the comments afterwards, is that there’s a big expectation that we’ll see an even better Lulamba in four weeks, and that’s why getting another run in was so important.
The experience will have stood him well, and just being able to tough it out and beat the older, more experienced rivals will have done his confidence the world of good.
Runner up in the Triumph Hurdle last year, he’s come close to Festival glory before, does that change this year? Bookmakers definitely think so, and right now, the best price on the market for him to win the Arkle is 6/4.
He was bigger than that a couple of weeks back, but after Kopek Des Bordes missed the Dublin Racing Festival, the price on Lulamba came in a little without him being seen.
This week’s success has pushed him further in, while Kopek Des Bordes, winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last year, is now as big as 5/2 to go back-to-back at the Festival.
There are still four weeks to go, but with cards already played, the Arkle looks to be ready to go, and the market is likely to remain very similar to what we have at the moment.
Positive vibes have been out there this week for Kopek Des Bordes, after a strong schooling session, but behind closed doors, they’re unlikely to make too much of an impact.
I think this could be one of the races of the week, always dramatic, and two potentially high-class performers going head-to-head this year only adds even more to it.
Four weeks to go, and I can’t wait