Command performance from Brennan
The fourth last fence, however, played a huge part in the final outcome. Voy Por Ustedes, one of the bankers of the meeting and heavily-backed on course, made a dreadful blunder at the obstacle, losing many lengths.
Brennan had made his move at the top of the hill, beginning the long, lonely surge for glory.
Dessie Hughes’ Schindlers Hunt challenged strongly rising to the second last, with Voy Por Ustedes trying to get back into contention.
Imperial Commander finally took Schindlers Hunt’s measure coming away from the final fence and though Voy Por Ustedes roared home his cause was hopeless and he was two lengths down at the line.
Brennan reported: “He jumped super and just loves Cheltenham. That was a brilliant performance.
“I believe in this horse and just wanted to get Voy Por Ustedes off the bridle. When I saw he wasn’t really travelling, I was happy, I knew my horse would stay up the hill.
“He’s tough, they came at him one by one, but he keeps a little bit. It has been a frustrating year, but I promise you this is worth 40 winners.
“This meeting is all I have been thinking about all season and to win here makes up for everything.’
Trainer, Nigel Twiston-Davies, said: “That was a very pleasant experience. Voy Por Ustedes made a mistake, you wouldn’t know what would have happened otherwise.
“Mine jumps and battles. He came up the hill very well and, hopefully, we can come back for the Gold Cup next year. I’m hoping the extra distance of that will improve him, he gallops and is a proper jumper.
“Paddy’s brilliant, it was his idea to force the pace and it took the sting out of the others.”
Alan King was philosophical regarding Voy Por Ustedes. Said King: “The mistake hasn’t helped, it happened at the wrong time.
“There you go, they are there to be jumped and he didn’t today. We will freshen him up and go to Aintree.’
Hughes said of Schindler Hunt: “I was hopeful after the third last, but the hill has just found him out.
“The ground was a bit too tacky. He really is a good ground horse. We’ll take him to Punchestown now.’
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