Lulamba reigns in Henry VIII Chase triumph

Lulamba made it two wins in as many starts over fences with a cosy victory in the Grade One Betfair Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown.

Sent off the 2-5 favourite for trainer Nicky Henderson and jockey Nico de Boinville, Lulamba had run out a wide-margin winner on his chasing bow at Exeter last month and while he took a few fences to warm up with his jumping, he could be called the winner a long way from home.

Be Aware set the pace but his early efforts were beginning to tell when Lulamba cruised up to take the lead jumping the penultimate flight and while he did not meet the last obstacle perfectly, he never looked in danger of losing, coming home nine and a half lengths clear.

Coral make Lulamba the 2-1 joint-favourite with Kopek Des Bordes for the Arkle at Cheltenham in March, with Paddy Power trimming his odds to 5-2 from 7-2 for the same race.