High hopes for Imperial Commander

Imperial Commander won the Gold Cup in his first race in 337 days

Naunton trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has said he will carefully choose the next race for Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander.

Paddy Brennan rode the seven-year-old to his first win his of the season at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The in-form Twiston-Davies told BBC Gloucestershire: "If he finishes like that in his first run then he's going to stay any distance."

"He has got class, speed, jumps, he has got everything. That is what you want."

The trainer added: "He's got to be nudging up there with the best ones.

"Paddy was thinking he was probably on the best horse he has ridden. That's quite something."

Imperial Commander is now a general 7-1 second favourite for the Hennessy Gold Cup.