Command performance from Imperial

Imperial Commander made a perfect start to his campaign with a comfortable success on his seasonal bow in the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

Sent off the 10-11 favourite, last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup hero could be called the winner from some way out under Paddy Brennan.

Although he tired after the last, the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained winner was always holding the fast-finishing Tidal Bay with Planet Of Sound back in third.

Atouchbetweenacara set the early pace under Aidan Coleman and while Brennan was content to bide his time early on, he opted to take over at the head of affairs seven fences from home.

Nacarat tried to go with him but Imperial Commander put in a sound round of jumping and that rival was struggling to stay with him at the top of the straight.

Imperial Commander just had to negotiate the last couple of fences and although he began to get a little leg weary after the final obstacle, Brennan never looked like being caught.

Tidal Bay, who had raced out the back early on, eventually consented to put his best foot forward in the finish and he was gaining all the time and eventually went down by a length and a quarter.

The win was particularly sweet for the Imperial Commander team, as the horse was denied in this race 12 months in an incredibly tight finish with Kauto Star.

Brennan said: “He was good. I was just trying to warm him up at the first few, he took a while to get his confidence but it was very deep ground.

“He got tired but there was no Kauto Star today and he was brilliant – he really turned it on in the straight.

“The horse is a Gold Cup winner and we can dream about that again. Tidal Bay flew home but he had plenty left pulling up and I’m sure he will improve for it.”

Twiston-Davies said: "I couldn't be happier with him. I know there were some doubters but he has shown them.

“He will definitely come on for the race. There is only so much you can do at home, he was fit but will improve for the run.

“We will definitely go to Kempton (for the King George) now, if everything is all right, as there is nothing else for him really.”