Twister's Star Is In Command

Nov 16 2008 By Robin Weir

IMPERIAL COMMANDER ruled the roost in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham with a smooth victory.

Nigel Twiston-Davies's 13-2 shot struck gold in the £85,000 chase with a fluent display of jumping.

Paddy Brennan on the winner made his move after the seventh and began to turn the screw.

And the Commander was still travelling well three from home.

Barbers Shop and Silverburn (11-4 fav) were set to challenge before the jolly made a bad blunder two out.

Barbers Shop (5-1) then pressed Imperial Commander strongly up the hill.

But the Twister's seven-year-old was always finding more and came home two and three-quarter lengths clear.

Private Be, a 25-1 chance, finished well back in third with Il Duce (40-1) fourth.

Twiston-Davies said: "That was always the plan and it's lovely when one works out. Last season the Commander's racing was curtailed by growing pains or he would have possibly won a SunAlliance - but we made this the plan instead.

"He jumps, gallops and does everything.

That was some display after being off the track for nearly a year.

"I didn't know he was in the Hennessy but that could easily be his next race. He's also in the King George."

Delighted jockey Brennan said: "That was brilliant - the Commander gave me some feel. I haven't ridden a horse like him in my life."

Victor Chandler were impressed and cut the Hennessy odds from 20s to 6-1.

The same bookies also introduced Imperial Commander into the King George betting at 12-1.