Dancer can waltz home in Gold Cup
The progressive seven-year-old has enjoyed a cracking campaign and can give Tony McCoy a second success in the race, having previously scored on Mr Mulligan.
Jonjo O'Neill's gelding was last seen at Cheltenham in January when producing another fine display to slam Our Vic by 18 lengths.
He powered clear in the closing stages and stamina does not appear an issue. Previously, Exotic Dancer proved no match for Kauto Star in the King George at Kempton.
Kauto Star beat him eight lengths into second and, strictly on that bare form, there can only be one result.
Paul Nicholls' charge is a brilliant horse and certainly has the capacity to totally outclass his rivals.
But he is set to go off a very tight price and, with major doubts about his jumping and minor doubts regarding his ability to truly stay, Exotic Dancer has a sporting chance of reversing the placings.
The Listener, who jumps for fun, is the other for the short-list, although it remains difficult enough to fathom how he managed to turn what seemed certain victory into numbing defeat behind Beef Or Salmon at Leopardstown.
He will need rain to run, however, with trainer, Robert Alner, reporting he is far from certain to face the starter.
It isn't easy to make a solid case for many more of the possibilities and Exotic Dancer in front of Kauto Star is the hopeful prediction.
The O'Neill-McCoy combination can also take the Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle with the tough Wichita Lineman.
He showed a really good attitude when slamming Tidal Bay and Massini's Maguire at Cheltenham last time and that pair dominated the Ballymore Properties Hurdle here on Wednesday.
Lounaos is the nap choice in the opening J C B Triumph Hurdle. An ultra-smart sort on the level, she has taken to this game like the proverbial duck to water.
Successful in her first two races over flights, Eoin Griffin's mare then had a real education when fourth to Hardy Eustace, Brave Inca and Macs Joy in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Whyso Mayo, winner of the race a year ago, arrives at the top of his game, fresh from an easy success at Leopardstown, and is the one to beat in the Christie's Foxhunter Chase.
