Imperial Commander out of King George Chase with injury

Imperial Commander was triumphant in last year's Gold Cup

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander has been ruled out of the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day because of an infected leg.

The nine-year-old suffered a cut to the leg when winning the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November.

"It means we will not be able to get him cherry-ripe for Kempton," said trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies.

"It's not serious. He will probably go straight to the Gold Cup [next March] but that's not written in stone."

Nicholls backs Kauto for King George VI

Imperial Commander had been set to go head-to-head with Kauto Star.

As recently as last week Twiston-Davies said he was confident his star turn would recover in time.

Kauto Star is attempting a historic fifth win in the King George VI Chase.