Gold Cup Imperial Commander beatable?

This year’s Gold Cup is bubbling up into a fantastic event as some young up-and-coming pretenders are staking their claim as well as the old protagonists putting their credentials forward for Friday’s blue riband event.

Last year’s winner Imperial Commander will put his title on the line on March 18 and the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained ten-year-old is 7/2 ante-post favourite for the race.

His seven length success last year really stamped his mark in racing history as he gallantly pulled away from Denman up the Cheltenham hill but can the gelding repeat that feat 12 months onHis tumble at Aintree in the Totesport Bowl was the first time he had come to grief over obstacles, so you can forget that blip.

But, he came out this season winning how a champion should. He was a comfortable winner of the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park beating the staying-on Tidal Bay by one-and-a-quarter lengths but then injury has since halted his progress.

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He was due to lock horns with Kauto Star in the King George but a cut leg meant he had to miss Kempton’s Christmas cracker and Twiston-Davies has decided to send him straight to the Gold Cup without a prep run.

The Grange Hill Farm handler has already given him a gallop round Warwick to blow the cobwebs away but could he be on top form to retain his title without a run since November.

Both Kauto Star and Denman will be trying to regain their crown this year and Paul Nicholls is bound to have that duo fighting fit and they should go close again and you then have to look at two youngsters making the step up. Diamond Harry was an impressive winner of the Hennessy whilst Long Run’s performance in the King George was exemplary and he is definitely one to watch along with Noel Meade’s Pandorama.

In such a hot contest at 7/2 Imperial Commander is far too short and it could a year for an emerging talent to lift the trophy and cause an upset.