GOLD Cup hero Imperial Commander yesterday took a significant step on the road to making a racing comeback, writes Jonathan Herbert.
He was brought in from a field to begin road work at Kevin and Eyssen Ross' Mount Top Stud just outside Belfast. The exercise is aimed at building up his fitness before he goes back into training with Nigel Twiston-Davies at his stable in Guiting Power.
Imperial Commander has been recuperating at Mount Top Stud, where he has spent summers throughout his career, since sustaining a season-ending tendon injury in September.
Ian Robinson, spokesman for owners Our Friends In The North, said the 2010 Gold Cup winner's chances of racing again looked bright.
"He looks fantastic and scans on the leg have come back clear twice," he said. "He's had a good long break and fingers crossed everything will go to plan.
"We'll take it step by step and get a lot of road work into him so the tendon is nice and strong.
"There's no reason why he won't race again because the leg has come back fine and everyone looking after him has done a fantastic job."
He said plans for Imperial Commander will become clearer after Richard Bevis, his regular work rider, puts him through his paces at Twiston-Davies' stable.
If Twiston-Davies and Bevis are happy with the 11-year-old, his first big target will be the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 24, which he won in 2010.
He aint too old at 11,as long as they are happy with the horse,see no reason why he cannot carry on racing.Of course their is always an element of risk in the sport but Cannot see his connections doing anything to put the horse at more risk than is neccessary. Agree his Gold Cup days are over,but as Stront says,plenty of other races around.
He aint too old at 11,as long as they are happy with the horse,see no reason why he cannot carry on racing.Of course their is always an element of risk in the sport but Cannot see his connections doing anything to put the horse at more risk than is n
Poorly handled when they went to Aintree after the Gold Cup and it didn't go three yards.
Trainer uses his mouth , his **** and his hip flask in no particular order.
Despise horses that run well then blob.Poorly handled when they went to Aintree after the Gold Cup and it didn't go three yards.Trainer uses his mouth , his **** and his hip flask in no particular order.
Poorly handled when they went to Aintree after the Gold Cup and it didn't go three yards.
Trainer uses his mouth , his **** and his hip flask in no particular order.
Despise horses that run well then blob.Poorly handled when they went to Aintree after the Gold Cup and it didn't go three yards.Trainer uses his mouth , his **** and his hip flask in no particular order.
Cant wait to see him back. The quote 'retire him before they do more damage' is a joke. The horse has injury problems but you cant blame that on the owners. He is a racehorse and needs to be there and compete. Totally agree GC isnt the only race in the calendar and he is a very lightly raced horse for his age.
COME ON THE COMMANDER :D
Cant wait to see him back. The quote 'retire him before they do more damage' is a joke. The horse has injury problems but you cant blame that on the owners. He is a racehorse and needs to be there and compete. Totally agree GC isnt the only race in t
Every horse is different... no horse had regained GC but it happened. Not saying he will win GC but no reason to think he cant be competitive in Betfair
Every horse is different... no horse had regained GC but it happened. Not saying he will win GC but no reason to think he cant be competitive in Betfair
I would love to see Imperial Commander vs Kauto Star at Haydock in November for a rematch of their epic duel, roll back the clock, and put these snot nosed youngsters in their place!!
I would love to see Imperial Commander vs Kauto Star at Haydock in November for a rematch of their epic duel, roll back the clock, and put these snot nosed youngsters in their place!!
Ian Robinson one of the owners involved, blogged: "Imperial Commander is making good progress to the extent that he will start to canter early next week. All being well the plan is to start off in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 24th."
Imperial Commander doing well:Ian Robinson one of the owners involved, blogged: "Imperial Commander is making good progress to the extent that he will start to canter early next week. All being well the plan is to start off in the Betfair Chase at Ha
Imperial Commander arrived back at Nigel's this week with Imperial Leader, you can keep upto date with his preparations for the Betfair Chase at www.imperial-horseracing.com and click on blog.
Imperial Commander arrived back at Nigel's this week with Imperial Leader, you can keep upto date with his preparations for the Betfair Chase at www.imperial-horseracing.com and click on blog.