The Cheltenham Arkle result next to Lulamba's name reads third. What it does not show is the mistake two out that cost him ground at the critical moment of the race, in a contest run at a strong pace over a trip his trainer had always said was slightly shorter than ideal. Away from the Cheltenham Festival, Lulamba's record reads 6-6. Six starts, six wins. Every single one. Nicky Henderson said after Cheltenham that the two and a half miles at Aintree "ought" to suit him. The opening Grade 1 of the Grand National Festival is his. This is today's NAP at 14:20.
The Selection
Lulamba is a five-year-old gelding trained by Nicky Henderson at Upper Lambourn in Berkshire, ridden by Nico de Boinville in the William Hill Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1) over 2m3f200y on good to soft ground at Aintree. He carries an OR of 162, RPR of 173 and TS of 160. His form reads --1-1-1-1-3 — unbeaten in six starts until the Arkle, where a mistake two out in a strongly run race over a trip the expert view notes was always on the short side of his ideal.
The Away From Cheltenham Record
Six starts away from the Cheltenham Festival. Six wins. That is not coincidence or variance. It is a consistent pattern of a horse performing at his best when the conditions are right — and the conditions at Aintree today are considerably more aligned with his profile than the Arkle at Cheltenham three weeks ago. His most recent win before the Arkle was the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury, where he beat more experienced horses comfortably. The expert view's assessment of that performance was "gives the firm impression he's ready for a crack at this new trip."
Henderson was explicit after Cheltenham. He said he would like to run Lulamba at Aintree, that he "ought to go over two and a half miles," and that the four-week gap available was ideal. This is not a horse being directed at a race because nothing else is available. He has been targeted here by the trainer who knows him better than anyone.
Why the Arkle Third is a Non-Story
The Arkle third requires context rather than alarm. Lulamba was third behind Kargese, a horse that won the race. The expert view notes specifically that "a mistake two out cost him some ground when challenging" — meaning at the moment he was in a winning position or close to it, a jumping error disrupted his rhythm at the critical stage. That is a racing incident on a day when two miles was already acknowledged as the short side of his optimal range.
Matt Chapman's assessment for the Festival was direct: "I don't think we saw the best of Lulamba in the Arkle. This step up in trip is going to really suit him and for me he's much the best." Multiple analysts across the Aintree preview coverage have pointed the same direction. When the expert consensus converges this clearly on a horse stepping into conditions specifically designed for him, the case is as strong as it gets in novice chase racing.
The Field
Five runners go to post. Koktail Divin at 5/2 is the main market rival — a front-running type who won a Grade 2 at Kempton over 2m4f and whose progressive profile makes him a genuine danger if Lulamba makes any jumping errors. Jax Junior at 9/1 was fourth in the Arkle and may fare better at this trip. Mambonumberfive skipped Cheltenham and arrives fresh at 14/1. Blueking d'Oroux at 25/1 faces a stiff task at this level.
The key question about Koktail Divin is whether his front-running style will be able to set a pace that stretches Lulamba's stamina. The expert view suggests the return to further is a plus for Koktail Divin — but it is also a plus for Lulamba, and the raw form comparison between the two horses at their respective peaks significantly favours the favourite.
Nicky Henderson's Record in This Race
Henderson has won the Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree twice in the past — Captain Conan in 2013 as the 6/5 favourite and Mad Max in 2010. The Seven Barrows operation has a strong record at the Aintree Festival more broadly and Henderson's targeting of this race with Lulamba after Cheltenham reflects the same precision of placement that has produced so many Grade 1 wins for the yard.
Good To Soft Ground
The official going at Aintree today is good to soft — conditions confirmed as ideal for a horse described by his trainer as one that "acts on any ground." The expert view confirms the same. There is no ground-related concern sitting alongside the case for Lulamba today.
The Bottom Line
Record away from Cheltenham: 6-6. Arkle third explained by a jumping error at the critical moment over a trip always too short. Henderson: "he ought to go over two and a half miles at Aintree." Matt Chapman: "much the best." Expert view: "sets the standard and retains the potential for rating higher still." Nicky Henderson at 18% from 11 runners. Nico de Boinville retained. Good to soft, Grade 1, five runners, ITV coverage. At 1.67, this is today's NAP — a horse stepping into the conditions his trainer designed this season around.
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