English/Ire
Lulamba ‘in good form’ ahead of Game Spirit test
Nicky Henderson’s leading Arkle contender Lulamba will look to tee-up his Cheltenham bid by taking out the William Hill Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on Saturday.
Lulamba did have the option of running in the Kingmaker Novices' Chase, for which only three have been declared, but instead Henderson has opted to stick to his local track to warm up his exciting chaser.
Henderson, who has won the Grade 2 prize with both Sprinter Sacre and Altior ahead of their Arkle victories, said: "We're bringing him out of novice company mainly because I'd like to go to Newbury.
"He doesn't need the race, but he needs the experience as in the first chase he ran in, I think they only jumped six fences because of low sun.
"He was very good at Sandown, but I would just like to go and jump another dozen fences in competition.
"Newbury's lovely and it's a good place to do it. This time last year Sir Gino was going to run in the Game Spirit himself, but he couldn't go there. Lulamba though is in good form, and I think it's the right way anyway."
The son of Nirvana Du Berlais will take on five rivals in Saturday's Grade 2, including last year's winner Master Chewy and Ben Pauling's promising novice chaser Meetmebythesea, who will be ridden by Harry Cobden on behalf of JP McManus.
Dan Skelton's Calico and Evan Williams' Libberty Hunter will also take their chance, with the field rounded out by both Brookie and Saint Segal.
On the same card, Haiti Couleurs will look to enhance his Gold Cup claims when heading to the William Hill Denman Chase.
Rebecca Curtis' Irish and Welsh Grand National hero had been set to compete in the Irish Gold Cup last weekend, but he was forced to miss the assignment due to travel complications and testing ground.
Speaking on Sky Sports Racing, Curtis said: "He keeps winning handicaps, his mark keeps going up and up and we don't know where it will end, so hence we're willing to try him in a graded company,"
"It will be very interesting on Saturday and going forward to the Gold Cup."
Nicky Henderson's Jango Baie was not declared, with the leading Gold Cup contender and King George fourth now set to head straight to Prestbury Park, but Venetia Williams' L'Homme Presse will take his chance.
Leave Of Absence and Riskintheground are also in contention.
Check out our FREE full form, ratings for meetings in nine countries each and every day.