[NoChanceToDance]

From RP.....

O'Neill reports Exotic in top form but wishes race was being held elsewhere

by Tom Peacock

JONJO O'NEILL has given Exotic Dancer a clean bill of health ahead of the Stan James King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.

However, the Jackdaws Castle handler feels Cheltenham, rather than Kempton, is the place where his top-class performer is seen in the best light.

O'Neill's yard is having a quiet spell of late, with few runners and no winners in recent days.

But the trainer insists all is well with Exotic Dancer, who has yet another attempt to finally get one over on reigning champion Kauto Star on Tuesday.

“He's never been wrong, but he's never beaten Kauto Star either," said O'Neill.

"The horse is in grand old form, but I'm not really sure Kempton is the track for him - I would prefer it to be at Cheltenham.

"The ground should be fine - probably his best run was at Aintree (when winning the Betfair Bowl) on fast ground last season so it should not worry him at all."

The Evan Williams-trained Lord Jay Jay was the only absentee from the entries for the race, leaving seven declared.

Alongside Kauto Starand Exotic Dancer - the first two home last year - will be third-placed Racing Demon, My Way De Solzen, Hi Cloy, Our Vic and Taranis, a stablemate of Kauto Star.

Our Vic, David Pipe's able but inconsistent performer, found Exotic Dancer too good in the Betfair Bowl and the Letheby And Christopher Chase. He was also narrowly beaten by Taranis in the Ryanair Chase.

However, the nine-year-old produced a fine performance first time out last year in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby - which gives his in-form trainer a morsel of encouragement.

“It's very tough - probably the hardest race he has run in in his life," said Pipe.

"I think his betting shows what sort of chance he has but that said, he does run very well fresh.

"It will be a nice small field and three miles around Kempton should suit him perfectly"