Imperial Commander Could Still Be A Starter

Posted by Leigh on November 29, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has commented that his charge, Imperial Commander is healing well from his injury and could possibly still be included in the Boxing Day William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton.

Imperial Set To Rule At Haydock

Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Imperial Commander is set to make his seasonal reappearance on Saturday in Haydock’s Grade 1 Betfair Chase, writes Elliot Slater.

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.

Tags: haydock, horse, Imperial Commander, racing, rule, tipsShare

Imperial Commander among ten in Betfair Chase

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Imperial Commander 'better than last season' - Brennan

Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander limbers up for the start of his season

  PICTURE: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos) 
Commander better than last season - Brennan
 By Jon Lees 2:46PM 18 OCT 2010 PADDY BRENNAN on Monday said Imperial Commander is in better form than he was last season as he looked forward to being reunited with the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup winner in next month's Betfair Chase at Haydock.

RELATED LINKS Gold Cup betting  Brennan said he would have no worries about the threat from any of Imperial Commander's other rivals, Kauto Star and Denman, this season as long as he knows his own horse is in top form.

"I know what I've got," he said. "I know what I've got to look forward to. I know when I put my leg over Imperial Commander that he is the best horse in the country. I don't look at dangers. I look at Imperial Commander being in good form. If he is going into that race in the form of his life then you don't have to worry about anybody. I think he is better this season. Nigelwill admit he is much more forward."

Imperial Commander is due to make his return to action at Haydock on November 20, the race in which he lost in a photo-finish with Kauto Star last year.

On RPTV on Tuesday: Watch highlights from Nigel Twiston-Davies's press day, featuring Imperial Commander - click for Media Centre

 

Read more in Tuesday's Racing Post - download the NEW digital newspaper from 3am or buy it as a PDF from 9am

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