Imperial Commander Out of Cheltenham Gold Cup

It was announced today that one of the most interesting fancies in the big race at the Cheltenham Festival would be withdrawn - the reverberations are being felt across several different ante post markets. Imperial Commander, winner of the big race back in 2010, was attempting to make a comeback and take another iteration of the de facto world championship of chasing. 

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The Nigel Twiston-Davies’ contender was previously spotted around 14/1. He hadn’t been seen since being pulled up in the Gold Cup in 2011 prior to his seasonal debut at Cheltenham in late January. He managed to finish second to Cape Tribulation after being sent off at a 7/2 price. 

A throat infection was the crucial factor according to connections and you can expect him to be pointed towards the Aintree meeting instead. Imperial Commander looks set for a tilt at the Grand National - and that’s seen his price get hit for the first time in a while in that market. 

As it currently stands, Bobs Worth remains the outright betting choice and he trades at around 3/1 to deliver his first Gold Cup. Connections haven’t been shy about pointing him towards this one and he beat the well-respected Tidal Bay (along with a field of 18 other contenders) when sent off at 4/1 in the Hennessy Gold Cup Chase at Newbury. 

Sir Des Champs remains the second choice with a 4/1 price tag and he’ll be coming into this one with some momentum based on his recent score at Leopardstown when he delivered as the 11/8 second choice in a short field. 

The real sharp contender looks to be stand-out Paul Nicholls sensation Silviniaco Conti and he’s taken all three of his race this year, including the big money Betfair Chase over Long Run. He then delivered an eight length thumping to The Giant Bolster in the Denman Chase, apt because the two were (briefly) stablemates at Ditcheat. 

Imperial Commander is now trading as high as 40/1 for Grand National honours.