Dancer Delights Connections

Barry Simpson was thrilled to see Exotic Dancer finally deliver on his promise and pick up a major prize in the shape of the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

Jonjo O'Neill's 16-1 winner of the Cheltenham showpiece had not even been aimed at Saturday's race initially.

But after a disappointing effort at Carlisle just five days prior to the #110,000 handicap, connections decided to bite the bullet and let the six-year-old take his place in Saturday's line-up.

'The plan for Exotic Dancer was to run last week at Carlisle and then go for the First National Bank Handicap (now the Amlin 1965 Steeple Chase) at Ascot next Saturday,' explained Simpson, racing manager to owner Sir Robert Ogden.

'I think there is no question about it that he came to win his race at Carlisle last week and just threw the towel in and it was a farcical race too.

'It didn't take a lot out of him and he was so well during the week.

'I had a long discussion with AP at Taunton on Thursday and he was keen to give it another go. I think great credit goes to him because I think he gave him a copybook ride.

'It was actually run at a very slow pace and he knew they weren't travelling quick enough but he decided to sit it out and that's why he's the great jockey that he is.'

While Simpson acknowledges life will be tougher in the future after the handicapper has had a chance to react to the three-length success, he hopes there could yet be more to come.

'At the start of the season if you think you are going to win one race of the equivalent of a Paddy Power you would be delighted, so going on from this will be that bit more difficult,' he admitted.

'He's bound to rise a few pounds in the handicap but we could see some improvement in him.

'From the moment we bought him he's just had a number of setbacks. We actually bought him to run in the Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow and he got a throat infection.

'When he went novice chasing he fractured his pelvis at Sandown so the horse has had a bit of a miserable time and he's entitled to sulk a bit!

'But we've always held him in high regard and never given up on him and great credit must go to Jonjo as well.

'AP switched him off and I think that was important as he just pulled and pulled at Carlisle.

'Maybe the key is to give him a prep race before his main target just to take the edge of him,' he added.

While future plans are yet to be discussed, Simpson has not ruled out the possibility of Exotic Dancer making a quick reappearance this weekend.

'Realistically he could go back to Cheltenham for what used to be the Tripleprint (now the Boylesports.com Gold Cup) but I might speak to Jonjo in the morning and you might see him entered at Ascot on Saturday,' he said.

'That's still a possibility but a lot depends on how he comes out of this race and how Jonjo feels.'

(C) PA Sport