Two Out Of Three Not Bad For O'Neill

Blazing Bailey may have derailed the Black Jack Ketchum bandwagon, but Jonjo O'Neill fought back from that shock reverse as Exotic Dancer burst into the totesport Gold Cup picture with a runaway success in the Letheby And Christopher Chase at Cheltenham.

No two races could have illustrated the highs and lows of the sport more succinctly, with O'Neill's Ladbrokes World Hurdle favourite suffering a major dent in his reputation as he lost his unbeaten record under Tony McCoy.

The 4-7 favourite floundered on the heavy ground and finished a leg-weary fifth, whereas Exotic Dancer travelled like a dream and romped away with the blue riband trial by 18 lengths.

O'Neill smiled: 'I've had ups and downs all of my life, but as long as my feet are on the ground I'm quite happy.

'I was sick when Black Jack got beat, but when the horses win I take the credit and when they get beat I take the stick.'

Exotic Dancer has developed a love affair with Prestbury Park and following his Paddy Power and Boylesports Gold Cup double, he stepped up to the mark to assert his aspirations for the big one in March.

A fine second to Kauto Star in the King George VI Chase on his first try at three miles, the seven-year-old found the extra furlong and a half no problem and bounded up the hill under the champion jockey.

Our Vic, returned the 2-1 favourite, was still in contention although tiring when clouting the second-last and had to settle for the runner-up spot, with Welsh National winner Halcon Genelardais back in third.

O'Neill said: 'He's a grand horse and he's been improving all year. He had good hurdle form and he jumps fences really well.

'AP (McCoy) has got the hang of riding him now and maybe we've got the hang of training him!

'He just loves this course and jumped well and travelled well so I was never worried and to be fair to him, he galloped all the way to the line.

'Since he got beat first time out at Carlisle nothing has gone wrong with him. He has grown up and is maturing.'

Barry Simpson, racing manager to owner Sir Robert Ogden, added: 'This has made our minds up to go for the Gold Cup as he has proved he stays up the hill.

'The plan was to run and see how he got on and get a prep race into him. It has been informative.'

Four previous winners of the race have gone on to succeed in the Gold Cup and Ladbrokes and Coral make Exotic Dancer a 10-1 chance to become the fifth.

William Hill and Cashmans quote him at 8-1, with the sponsors shortest of all at 6-1 from 25s.

O'Neill's bright demeanour was in contrast his expression 35 minutes earlier as Black Jack Ketchum's sequence of eight victories came to an abrupt halt in the Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle.

Despite travelling with his usual fluency, the eight-year-old emptied out quickly over the final two flights as Blazing Bailey (14-1) careered away to hold Inglis Drever by four lengths.

Black Jack Ketchum was eased out to 5-4 by the sponsors for the World Hurdle, while Boylesports offer 5-2.

O'Neill said: 'It was just the ground that beat him, but at least we now know he doesn't go on heavy ground and I won't be doing that again.

'There is nothing wrong with him and if the ground is heavy at Cheltenham in March he won't run as there is no point.'

McCoy also blamed the ground for the eclipse of the market leader.

He said: 'Obviously I am disappointed he got beat, but if you look at the form he beat Blazing Bailey easily here on better ground.

'The ground was always the worry and at least you know that. I am not giving up on him yet.'

O'Neill took out Mountain and Bold Bishop, his two runners later on the card, due to the ground in the wake of Black Jack Ketchum's defeat.

Blazing Bailey's handler Alan King was not overly surprised at the result, despite his charge having been put in his place by Black Jack Ketchum in December.

King said of the Robert Thornton-ridden winner: 'He's definitely improved and I thought he should have won the Long Walk at Ascot, but he was messed about from Swinley Bottom all the way home.

'But he wasn't beaten far and it was only a week after he got beat by Black Jack Ketchum.

'I thought he would run very well here and it was a nice race to win. He'll go straight for the World Hurdle now.'

Graham Wylie, owner of the Howard Johnson-trained runner-up, said: 'I am delighted with the run. It was a great prep for the World Hurdle and he is such a consistent horse that if he is fit and well he will be up there among the action.'

The day had started with a resounding success for O'Neill after the gritty and determined Wichita Lineman (even-money favourite) landed the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle by six lengths from Tidal Bay.

'He's a lazy horse who keeps everything to himself,' said O'Neill. 'He stays well, he's tough and this is job done.'

O'Neill had been thinking about running Wichita Lineman in the three-mile Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle at the Festival, but is now leaning towards the more prestigious Ballymore Properties race over around this trip of two miles and five furlongs.

'We're happy with him and on this, we'll consider the former SunAlliance back here, as long as we keep him safe and sound,' he reported.

The winner was cut to 5-1 from around 8s for the Ballymore, although William Hill still offer 7-1, while Tidal Bay was pushed out to 10-1 from 8s with totesport for the same contest.

? PA Sport