MASTER trainer Nicky Henderson has entered 6-1 Arkle favourite Lulamba over hurdles.
The runner-up in last year’s Triumph is one of the names on the list for the prestigious Grade 1 Prix Renaud du Vivier for four-year-old colts and fillies in November.
GettyArkle favourite Lulamba could start his season off over hurdles in France[/caption]
The 2m3½ contest is run at French track Auteuil and has previously been won by the likes of King George runner-up Il Est Francais.
The move could be seen as surprising given Henderson said it was ‘likely’ Lulamba would go novice chasing – and of course he could still do both in the same season just like the same owner’s Sir Gino did last year.
Joe and Marie Donnelly’s unbeaten monster was switched to the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle when it was clear Constitution Hill couldn’t run.
He bolted up there before winning the Grade 2 Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton on his next run.
Lulamba rebounded from his shock Triumph Hurdle defeat to 100-1 Poniros with a resounding win at Punchestown to end the season, looking a true superstar.
He is a general 4-1 favourite for the Arkle with most bookies, although Willie Mullins’ Supreme winner Kopek Des Bordes has recently been backed in after the owner said he was set to go chasing.
Among the other names familiar to British punters to be entered in the French race is former Fred Winter favourite Stencil.
The JP McManus-owned four-year-old is trained over the Channel by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm.
The Prix Renaud du Vivier was won by Kingland last year – who landed a cheque for £110,000
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