Twiston-Davies set on Imperial Rule

Nigel Twiston-Davies expects punters to see the “real” Imperial Commander when he lines up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The 6-1 second-favourite with the sponsors looked a horse of immense promise at this time last season after winning his first two races over fences.

But he disappointed back at Prestbury Park on his final start of the campaign in December.

Having finished last of four behind Joe Lively, Twiston-Davies decided to give the seven-year-old the rest of the season off in the hope he would finally fill out his unfurnished frame, and the in-form handler believes he will be all the better for a long break.

“He’s had a bit of time off the track but he’s come back really well and he always seem to run a very good race at Cheltenham so we’re hopeful,” said Twiston-Davies.

“He won at this meeting last year so we have no qualms at all about the track.

“He has always looked like he needed time to fill out his frame and we are hoping that this year everybody will see the real Imperial Commander.

“His last run was very poor which was one of the reasons we let him down in the second half of the season but we also decided to give him plenty of time."

Patman du Charmil will also represent the locally-based trainer.

Twiston-Davies said: “Patman du Charmil has just sneaked in as the last horse which is lucky.

“He was fifth in the race last year and then third in the Boylesports a bit later on so we are hoping for a good run. He wouldn’t be an outsider by any means.”

The going is likely to be on the soft side come raceday following six millimetres of rain today, double what was forecast.

“We’ve had six millimetres today after only being told to expect three,” said clerk of the course Simon Claisse. “The going on all three tracks is now soft, good to soft in places.”

That news is not likely to please Ferdy Murphy who runs Three Mirrors. Murphy won the race 12 months ago with L’Antartique when Three Mirrors was only 12th.

“We would have been a bit happier if the ground was a bit faster,” said Murphy. “So as long they don’t get too much rain I’ll be happy.

“He’s done plenty of work and had a mile-six racecourse gallop. He did it very well that day and it’s brought him along nicely. It’s a big ask for him but at the same time we’re happy enough with him.”

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is hoping a breathing operation has the same effect on ante-post favourite Silverburn as it has had on so many of his stable companions.

“I’m very pleased with him, I schooled him yesterday morning and he jumped well, he always has done. I’m glad to see all the rain because he loves cut in the ground – I’m very happy with him,” said Nicholls.

“At the end of last season I said to Paul Green (owner), if we want to go forward we have to give him a breathing operation and now he doesn’t make any noise at all, so hopefully that will be a big plus and there might be some improvement in him,” he told At the Races.

Paddy Power have announced they will pay out on the first five home as long as there are 16 runners or more and with 20 declared, that looks likely.

Paddy Power said: “This is our biggest race sponsorship and is a great opportunity to give our punters the chance to get their jumps season off a winning start.”

Paddy Power Gold Cup: Sponsors bet: 7-2 Silverburn, 6-1 Imperial Commander, 7-1 Barbers Shop, 10-1 Maljimar, Ouzbeck, Don’t Push It, Bible Lord, 12-1 Piraya, 20-1 Ashley Brook, Stan, Sky’s the Limit, Vodka Bleu, 25-1 bar.