Twiston-Davies plans Commander racecourse gallop
Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Imperial Commander will not be seen in competitive action until he bids to win back-to-back renewals of jump racing's most glittering prize, but it is possible that Newbury racegoers might get to see him being put through his paces in a racecourse gallop before the end of the month, writes Elliot Slater.
A brilliant winner at Cheltenham last March when proving just too good for former champions Denman and Kauto Star, Twiston-Davies' 10-year-old then unseated Paddy Brennan when already fighting a losing battle in the Totesport Bowl at Aintree a few weeks later.
Reappearing this season in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock Park in November, the Flemensfirth gelding jumped impeccably and was always in control, cruising clear going to the final fence and then having plenty in reserve to beat the staying-on Tidal Bay in grand style. Imperial Commander had been an intended runner in the King George VI Chase but after sustaining a cut to his leg at Haydock the injury failed to heal in time for Boxing Day, although he would have taken his chance (had he been allowed) in the rescheduled race in mid-January, so anyone thinking about placing a Cheltenham bet on him shouldn't be put off by the injury.
That didn't happen, and so Twiston-Davies accepted that his stable star would go straight to Cheltenham to defend his title. The Naunton-based handler is expected to ask Newbury for permission to gallop the star chaser, and that could come as soon as February 12, the only scheduled race fixture at Newbury in February. Otherwise, the gallop would have to take place on a no-race day away from the public gaze.
Imperial Commander remains a solid 7/2 favourite to land his second Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 18. 'King George' winner Long Run is offered at 13/2, former winners Denman and Kauto Star are both available at up to 8/1, 'Hennessy' winner Diamond Harry is 10/1, and it's 16/1 bar.
