Dancer Heading To Kempton

Exotic Dancer could warm up for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup with an outing in handicap company in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton next month.

Sir Robert Ogden's racing manager Barry Simpson has nominated the Grade Three contest as a comeback event for the 2007 blue riband runner-up after he was ruled out of the Cotswold Chase last Saturday.

The Jonjo O'Neill-trained eight-year-old pulled a back muscle but connections are still readying him to renew rivalry with Kauto Star in the Gold Cup on March 14, for which he is 12-1 with sponsors totesport.

Simpson, speaking on the day the Grand National entries closed, said: 'We didn't put Exotic Dancer or Star De Mohasion in the National this year.

'It is too early to say much about Exotic Dancer's recovery from his setback, but we have entered him in the Racing Post Chase.

'We have been pleased with the response over the last few days and we do want to get a race into him before Cheltenham.

'I think the Aon will come too quickly and I don't think Wincanton will be his track, so the Racing Post Chase is a possibility, although I hear there is a very good horse entered!'

Exotic Dancer has chased home Kauto Star on five different occasions and his trainer Paul Nicholls confirmed the Gold Cup favourite has been entered in the Racing Post Chase.

He said: 'I have entered him, but that is only to give me options and Ascot on the 16th is still his intended target.'

Another of Ogden's leading chasers, Star De Mohasion, is on course for the Gold Cup having had his first run for over a year when finished third over timber at Cheltenham on New Year's Day.

Simpson added: 'Both the Irish Hennessy and the Aon are possible races for him.

'We are desperate to get him back on the racecourse and he will go wherever the best ground is.'

(C) PA Sport