He failed to win the race by the narrowest of margins twelve months ago, being defeated by Kauto Star in a battle that proved to be a turning point for both horses,
Although Kauto Star went on to land a historic fourth successive King George VI Chase at Kempton on his next start, he was well beaten when falling in the Gold Cup in March, a race that Imperial Commander took by the scruff of the neck on the home turn and ran out an impressive seven-length winner over the mighty Denman. It was an upset for the racing tips, but still a thoroughly deserved victory.
The exertions at Cheltenham probably took more of a toll on Nigel Twiston-Davies’ charge than it first appeared, as he was never going particularly well at Aintree next time out when unseating his rider some way from home, in a race eventually won by What A Friend, another likely contender for Saturday’s feature event.
With Albertas Run and Planet Of Sound appearing more likely to head to the Amlin 1965 Chase at Ascot this weekend, and Kauto Star being rested until Kempton following a winning return to action at Down Royal recently, Imperial Commander appears to have everything going for him being officially rated some 26lbs superior to Paul Nicholls’ What A Friend, the highest rated of the remaining entries. The Gold Cup winner looks like one of the top racing tips for today.
Connections report Twiston-Davies’ nine-year-old to have improved since last season, and having shown his liking for Haydock it would appear that given a clear round the current odds of 5/6 on offer for the Betfair Chase could appeal to plenty of punters. There is a long way to go until the Cheltenham Festival in March, but there is little doubt that Imperial Commander looks the outstanding candidate at present to win the blue riband for the second time.
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