LULAMBA CAN COME THROUGH NEW TEST WITH FLYING COLOURS

By Ashley Iveson, PA

It will be a major surprise if Lulamba does not make a successful start to his career over fences in the Royal Oak, Heavitree 'Chasing Excellence' Beginners' Chase at Exeter on Monday.

An impressive winner on his only start in France, the four-year-old looked every inch a top-class recruit when winning on his British bow at Ascot and he was only narrowly denied by Poniros when filling the runner-up spot in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

He reversed that form in some style at Punchestown in the spring and connections would have had every right to head down the Champion Hurdle route this season, but have ultimately opted to head over the larger obstacles.

Lulamba faces several useful rivals in the form of Fingle Bridge, Salver and Tripoli Flyer but in receipt of the four-year-old allowance he can stamp his class.

Henderson can double up in the Sandygate Inn, Kingsteignton Handicap Chase with That's Nice.

Only a five-year-old, she beat a useful type on her rules debut in Honky Tonk Highway before disappointing at Cheltenham in December when something was clearly amiss.

She bounced back in style in her final outing winning easily at Warwick and while she lacks experience, she will surely prove better than a mark of 126.

Listentoyourheart catches the eye in the Old Gold Racing Handicap Hurdle for Dan Skelton at Plumpton.

This six-year-old won three times last season, including a valuable Listed success at Newbury, before slightly losing her way from Christmas onwards.

However, there was some encouragement to be taken from her fourth place finish in the Welsh Champion Hurdle on her return to action and having been dropped a couple of pounds since, she does not look too badly treated off a mark of 124.

James Owen has a really strong team of juvenile hurdlers every season it seems and Trad Jazz could be close to the top of his pecking order this year.

A classy operator on the level, she earned a rating of 87 in just four outings, winning twice.

Not disgraced in Listed company on her final outing, she makes her debut in the Every Race Live On Racingtv Fillies' Juvenile Maiden Hurdle at Leicester.

Irish authorities should be applauded for the speed with which they rearranged Saturday's waterlogged card at Navan, which sees champion chaser Marine Nationale return in the Bar One Racing Fortria Chase.

However, the chasing debut of Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Kopek Des Bordes in the Pat Sheils Memorial Irish EBF Beginners Chase is even more eagerly anticipated.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings today. Here are the tips

PLUMPTON: Race 1: 14.50 Calvino, Race 2: 15.20 Rockview Roman, Race 3: 15.50 Siam Park,
Race 4: 16.20 Listentoyourheart, Race 5: 16.50 Final Straw, Race 6: 17.19 One Last Glance, Race
7: 17.50 Belcamo.

LEICESTER: Race 1: 15.10 Patrimonio, Race 2: 15.40 Jukebox d'Eddy, Race 3: 16.09 Trad Jazz,
Race 4: 16.40 Little Venice, Race 5: 17.10 Island Bridge, Race 6: 17.40 Wind Your Neck In.

EXETER: Race 1: 15.30 Harry Lowes, Race 2: 16.00 LULAMBA (NAP), Race 3: 16.30 A Path To
Ronda, Race 4: 17.00 That's Nice, Race 5: 17.30 Special John, Race 6: 18.00 Henrysbrotherjack.

NEWCASTLE: Race 1: 17.35 Nebras, Race 2: 18.10 My Love Is King, Race 3: 18.40 Urgent Call,
Race 4: 19.10 Popty Ping, Race 5: 19.40 Clementines Star, Race 6: 20.10 Stratusnine, Race 7:
20.40 Selection, Race 8: 21.10 Spirit Of Applause.

ALL TO COME: Lulamba and That's Nice (Exeter, Races 2 and 4).

For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab.co.za