TimeformBlog

[b]The current Cheltenham Gold Cup holder and the former dual Champion Chaser both made impressive seasonal returns at the weekend; Gregg Taylor reflects on the merits of their performances.[/b] [b]Imperial Commander[/b] (182) didn't have to match the form of his Gold Cup-winning performance to land a high-quality renewal of the [b]Betfair Chase[/b] by a length and a quarter from [b]Tidal Bay[/b] (160$). It was the first time in five years that his old adversary Kauto Star had not shown up and the race failed to attract any of last season's top novices, yet Nigel Twiston-Davies's stable star left the impression that he's returned as good as ever. Hopefully the cut he suffered to his leg won't prove severe enough to make him miss his intended clash with Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing...