Imperial Commander

Back Imperial Commander at 9.00 with Boylesports

Imperial Commander has always been held in high regard by Nigel Twiston-Davies but his early successes were always going to be the precursor to a career that was going to revolve around how this horse jumped fences.

Early Promise To Paddy Power Victor

The novice chase season of Imperial Commander started well enough with two easy victories but he was bitterly disappointing on his next effort when first upped to three miles plus. That was his last outing in the 07/08 season but this proved to be a blessing in disguise as the horse came back stronger for the 08/09 season and with the benefit of a very favourable handicap mark. The stable made the most of this exploiting the mark to win the 85k Paddy Power handicap chase from a high quality field.

Left-Handed Only

Imperial Commander was then stepped up into the very top class and found the King George and Kauto Star too much for him at that point in his career. It may just have been a dislike for the right-handed track that was his major downfall that day, a point perhaps compounded when he was later pulled up at the right-handed Punchestown later in the same season.

Back Imperial Commander at 9.00 with Boylesports

Festival Glory

After the King George, Imperial Commander was given time to come back to himself and was focused at the Ryanair Chase and the scalp of former Champion Chaser Voy Por Ustedes. Being fresh seems to suit this Twiston-Davies inmate well and he was too good for the Festival field, notching up another big win to his name.

So Close In Betfair Chase

The new season saw Imperial Commanders first target as the Betfair Chase at Haydock and a return visit with Kauto Star. This time the outcome was much closer with Imperial Commander confounding the doubters who thought he didnt truly stay three miles when he was involved in a battle royal with the double Gold Cup winner. Most punters thought Imperial Commander had won in a head bobbing finish at Haydock but it proved that Kauto Star had prevailed by the smallest of distances.

Stamina Now Confirmed?

Even given for how disappointed his connections must have been to not have beaten the Champion at Haydock, they must be full of heart for the rest of the season. The gutsy way Imperial Commander battled back after seeming to have been beaten off must give his supporters extra hope that he is a true stayer.

Kempton Setback Not The End Of The World

Imperial Commander then took on Kauto at Kempton again and we really should write that performance off as he made such a bad blunder at the second fence that he could never get into the race. Cheltenham will suit this horse much better.

Kautos Number One Challenger?

Given that doubts over Imperial Commanders stamina were the major concern about his viability to win a Gold Cup, the Betfair Chase would seem to have gone a long way to dispel those doubts, he could now be seen as one of Kauto Stars main threats at Cheltenham and, as such, the current price on offer looks well worth taking.

Back Imperial Commander at 9.00 with Boylesports