Lulamba reinforced his position as the betting favourite for the Arkle at Cheltenham when he produced a convincing victory over his elders in the William Hill Game Spirit Chase at Newbury.
Trainer Nicky Henderson had wanted to give the five-year-old more experience after just two previous runs over fences, one in Grade One novice company, and the move looked astute.
Early in the race Lulamba took time to settle and was jumping big, which cost him position. By halfway, Nico de Boinville had him tucked in behind Saint Segal and Master Chewy, although he was being asked for pressure turning in.
At the top of the straight the 4/11 favourite found another gear and delivered some of his best leaps, easing clear to beat Saint Segal by six and a half lengths.
Paddy Power shortened him to 11/8 from 6/4 for the Arkle, while Coral installed him as their even-money favourite.
Lulamba jumps to victory in the Game Spirit at Newbury
Henderson said the trip was aimed at giving the horse the practice he missed after Exeter and building on his Sandown run. He added that racing against older horses forces a quicker tempo and sharper jumping, which will be important at Cheltenham.
“He will go further without a shadow of a doubt and I don’t think that is his ground even though I was surprised by how it was. Nico and I walked round this morning and we were perfectly happy to run, but he must be better on good ground and I do think he will jump better on good ground,” Henderson said.
“He’s a horse who loves life and despite the ground I think he has really enjoyed himself and I liked the way he quickened up from the second last, the gears work. You can see what we were trying to do, he didn’t need the race but he needed the experience and it is against those older horses who can go a proper good gallop when you learn – they teach you a bit and you have to jump that little stride quicker.
“It can take him time to warm up and he was the same at Sandown and it was once he got down into the back straight there that he latched on. He’s got lots of scope and there is plenty of time for a little bit of practice. His jumping has a little bit of finessing to come, but that will be there I hope, come the second Tuesday in March.”