Dancer On Course For Gold

Exotic Dancer is still on target for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup after a successful make-or-break gallop on Saturday morning.

The Jonjo O´Neill-trained eight-year-old, ridden by Tony McCoy, worked on the grass gallops at Jackdaws Castle alongside stablemates Don´t Push It and Mountain.

Owner Sir Robert Ogden´s racing manager, Barry Simpson, told www.racingpost.co.uk: "The horse has gone up the gallops and seems to be enjoying himself.

"He will keep to his normal routine and, if we get a good run through and there are no reactions, he will take his place in the Gold Cup line-up."

Exotic Dancer this week suffered a minor setback which cast his participation in the race under a cloud.

Last season´s Gold Cup runner-up has been regularly treated by a chiropractor since he damaged a ligament in his back in January and has been under constant veterinary supervision.

But it was discovered upon a routine examination on Tuesday that the impressive chaser was sore in his lumbar region.

O´Neill´s gelding reportedly showed no ill-effects in his work this morning, however, and is back on track for the National Hunt showpiece on March 14.

Exotic Dancer, as low as 10-1 to win the Gold Cup, has not raced since finishing third to Kauto Star in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

? PA Sport