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By Dylan Jenear ValueChecker

Imperial Commander to Take His Chance at Haydock
18/11/10

Last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Imperial Commander is poised to make his seasonal reappearance in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday, and in the process bid to go one better than he did in the Grade 1 event last year when just foiled by Kauto Star.

Imperial Commander
© racing-images.co.uk

The nine-year-old was mightily impressive when adding his name to the Gold Cup role of honour at the Festival in March, and his subsequent defeat at Aintree in April is best forgiven. Indeed, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ charge was clearly feeling the effects of his Cheltenham exertions, and was starting to struggle when unseating Paddy Brennan at the fourteenth fence.

The Aintree race in question, the totesport Bowl Chase, was won by the Paul Nicholls-trained What A Friend, who was seen out just three times during the 2009/10 campaign, and the Alflora gelding looked highly progressive. Indeed, the seven-year-old, who is part-owned by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, was runner-up to stable companion Denman on his reappearance in the Hennessy last term, before going on to land the Lexus Chase and the Bowl at Aintree.

What A Friend has 16lb to find with Imperial Commander on official ratings, though, and the latter has an excellent record when fresh. Indeed, Imperial Commander was successful first time out in his first four seasons in training, and there was just a nose between him and Kauto Star when he was returning to action in this race in 2009.

Nacarat
© racing-images.co.uk

Planet Of Sound was a smart novice chaser and, despite frustratingly making life difficult for himself with some sloppy jumping at time last season, Philip Hobbs’ representative appeared to take his form to a new level when signing off his 2009/10 campaign when landing the Guinness Gold Cup at the Punchestown Festival in April. The favourite that day, Denman, was clearly below par, but it was Planet Of Sound’s first attempt at a trip of 3m+ and, still just eight, he could have more to offer.

Nacarat, winner of the Charlie Hall Chase on his reappearance at Wetherby, Massini’s Maguire, successful on his debut for the David Pipe stable at Ascot last month, and Albertas Run are among the entries. It will be interesting if Lucinda Russell allows Silver By Nature to take his chance, too. The grey would have won the Welsh National last season but for a last-fence blunder, and wound up his campaign by landing a valuable handicap in fine style at this track in February. If conditions turn out to be testing on Saturday, the eight-year-old could run better than his current odds of 16-1 suggest he might.

Recommendation: Imperial Commander