Dancer Tops Cheltenham Contenders

Last year's winner Exotic Dancer heads 13 entries for the Letheby And Christopher Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The eight-year-old, trained by Jonjo O'Neill, was third to his old adversary Kauto Star in the King George VI Chase but now has the chance to register his first win of the campaign.

Our Vic, one place ahead of Exotic Dancer in Kempton's Christmas cracker, has been entered by David Pipe along with stablemates Celestial Gold and Madison Du Berlais.

Trainer John Spearing looks like rerouting Simon after the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock was lost to the wet weather on Saturday.

The nine-year-old's jockey Andrew Thornton believes Simon could still be on the upgrade.

'It's a shame he couldn't go for the Peter Marsh at the weekend as it was off. Things were perfect for him that day ? the weight, the ground, everything,' said Thornton.

'Obviously it will be a bit tougher race if he does go to Cheltenham on Saturday with the likes of Exotic Dancer and probably Our Vic there as well.

'He thrives in the spring and he's done nothing but improve. He's still got time on his side and he loves the soft ground.

'He's proved himself on good ground too so it all seems to come alike with him. He seems on the up and he's a cracking horse to be associated with,' the rider told At The Races.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has put in Neptune Collonges, while Evan Williams could be represented by State Of Play.

Nigel Twiston-Davies can choose from Ollie Magern and Knowhere, while French trainer Francois Doumen also has two possibles in the full-brothers L'Ami and Kelami.

Henry Daly's Billyvoddan and Faasel, trained by Nicky Richards, complete the list.

Letheby And Christopher Chase

Coral bet: Evs Exotic Dancer, 9-2 Our Vic, 6-1 Neptune Collonges, 12-1 Simon, State Of Play, 16-1 Celestial Gold, L'Ami, Madison Du Berlais, Ollie Magern, 20-1 Faasel, 25-1 Billyvoddan, 33-1 Knowhere, 40-1 Kelami

(C) PA Sport