Age ‘no barrier to Imperial rule’

NIGEL Twiston-Davies has scoffed at the concept of Imperial Commander being too old to win another totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The last 10-year-old to take jump racing’s premier prize was Cool Dawn back in 1998 and before him Cool Ground in 1992.

Imperial Commander is a year younger than ever-present rivals and fellow Gold Cup winners Kauto Star and Denman, and Twiston-Davies points to his lighter career of just 18 races under Rules and a solitary Irish point-to-point.