With the Cheltenham Festival markets now beginning to take shape, this week saw a significant move in the opening event on the final day. The Nicky Henderson newcomer Lulamba has yet to set foot on a British racetrack but has attracted strong support for the 2025 edition of the Triumph Hurdle. Available at 10/1 earlier last week, he is now a best price of around 4/1. That’s quite a move for a horse with just one career start to his name, but it isn’t hard to see why the market has latched onto his claims.
Henderson Leads the Way in Triumph Hurdle

First successful with First Bout in 1985 and most recently with 20/1 shock winner Pentland Hills in 2019, Nicky Henderson has claimed the Triumph Hurdle on seven occasions. That tally puts him out on his own at the head of the all-time trainer’s table, two clear of his nearest rival, Willie Mullins.
Ahead of the 2025 Triumph Hurdle, Henderson holds only two entries in the race. German recruit Palladium fetched a handsome €1.4 million at the sales but has yet to race over jumps, suggesting Lulamba may be the most likely to take up this engagement.
Excellent Record with French Recruits
Nicky Henderson has an excellent record with recruits from the French jumping scene over the years, with 2024/25 star Sir Gino the latest to launch a successful career having traversed the Channel. That positive trend towards ex-French runners has been particularly evident in the Triumph Hurdle, with four of Henderson’s past five Triumph heroes beginning their careers in France.
Lulamba appeared only once in his homeland, when based with Arnaud Chaille-Chaille, but made quite the impression when storming five lengths clear of his 15 rivals in a 2m2f event at Auteuil. It is always difficult to assess the merits of such form. However, Lanivtsi finished over 17l behind Lulamba that day but was good enough to win next time out, lending at least some substance to that debut success.
Lulamba also boasts plenty of promise on pedigree. Sire Nirvana Du Berlais is new to the National Hunt scene, with his first crop having hit the track during the 2023/24 campaign. However, he hails from a top jumping family and landed a Grade 1 at Auteuil by 14 lengths on his final racecourse appearance. Dam Eljand didn’t fly quite so high, but showed a decent level of ability in winning two of three starts over hurdles and finishing second in Listed company.
Strong Addition to Donnelly Team
Having carried the colours of Ecurie Hub De Montmirail in France, Lulamba now sports the increasingly famous black and yellow checked silks of Mrs J Donnelly. If making it to Cheltenham, he will join a Donnelly team which includes reigning Champion Hurdle king State Man, odds-on Arkle Challenge Trophy favourite Sir Gino, impressive Willie Mullins youngster Anzadam, and leading Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase fancy Dancing City. Not bad company all in all!
First Step Put on Ice
How realistic are Lulamba’s Triumph Hurdle claims? Is that 4/1 price based on hype or ability? Henderson issued a positive report on the four-year-old when stating:
“He’s done everything nicely, and it’s now time to get him out there and see what he’s capable of. He had one run in France, which he won, and he’s been here since September. He’s done really well physically and he’s a fine, big horse. He’s a big scopey boy.”
The true test will come at the track. As such, all eyes would have been on the juvenile hurdle at Kempton last Saturday (11th January), where Lulamba was scheduled to make his British debut in a field containing promising sorts from the yards of Paul Nicholls and up-and-coming Newmarket handler James Owen. However, that meeting was lost to a frozen track.
Racing tomorrow has sadly been abandoned after this morning’s inspection. pic.twitter.com/H7CGt6xxD5
— Kempton Park Racecourse (@kemptonparkrace) January 10, 2025