Imperial on the mend

Imperial Commander is recovering well from the minor injury he suffered at Haydock on Saturday.

The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Cheltenham Gold Cup hero made a winning return to action in the Betfair Chase on Merseyside at the weekend, but returned to the winner’s enclosure with a cut to his leg.

His trainer said he would have to be box-rested for a week, but would then need to return to work if he was going to be ready for the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

While no definite decision has been made, assistant trainer Carl Llewellyn reports the nine-year-old to be making good progress.

He said: “It (the cut) seems OK – so far, so good – and as long as we avoid infection we should be OK.

“The next week or so will be important.”

Twiston-Davies remains optimistic Imperial Commander will be fit for the King George, but accepts the next seven days will be crucial in his rehabilitation.

He told the Guardian: “It just depends how quickly it heals.

“Hopefully, in a week’s time, it’ll be all right.

“There’s nothing you can do, just keep it clean and give him antibiotics.

“It’s 50-50.”