Dancer and Demon on Ryanair trail

Both Exotic Dancer and Racing Demon are set to sidestep another clash with Kauto Star in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The respective connections of the pair, who finished second and third in the King George VI Chase, have both opted to target the Ryanair Chase at the Festival instead.

Barry Simpson, racing manager to Exotic Dancer’s owner Robert Ogden, confirmed the seven-year-old will be entered for the Gold Cup but indicated the Jonjo O’Neill-trained gelding is likely to be aimed elsewhere.

He told the Racing Post: “The Ryanair Chase is the obvious race for Exotic Dancer, but a lot depends on what else is in the race.

“Another option would be the Racing Post Plate, as that’s a handicap worth £100,000 (€149,000),"

Racing Demon’s trainer Henrietta Knight added: “I doubt that Racing Demon will run in the Gold Cup this year. Instead, we will be looking at the Ryanair Chase.”