Imperial Commander jumps the last at Haydock

Imperial Commander got his season off to a triumphant start with a commanding victory in Haydock's Betfair Chase.

Last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, the 10-11 favourite, was given a fine ride by Paddy Brennan and looked the victor from some way out.

The win banished memories of losing to Kauto Star in a disputed photo-finish in last year's race.

Tidal Bay (16-1) made good ground in the run-in to finish second, while Planet Of Sound (17-2) was third.

"He got tired but there was no Kauto Star today and he was brilliant - he really turned it on in the straight," said Brennan of his Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained mount.

"The horse is a Gold Cup winner and we can dream about that again. Tidal Bay flew home but he had plenty left pulling up and I'm sure he will improve for it."

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Afterwards, Twiston-Davies confirmed the nine-year-old's next target would be the King George Stakes at Kempton on Boxing Day when he will bid to stop Kauto Star winning for a fifth consecutive year.

"Absolutely superb, I couldn't be happier," enthused Twiston-Davies. "He'll definitely come on for the race. There is only so much you can do at home.

"He was fit but he wasn't hyper fit. I'm now looking forward to a more competitive race when he doesn't have to do so much of the work on his own.

"Everything being alright he'll go to Kempton and so roll on the King George. I've got no doubts about going for the race and no worries about Kempton."

Atouchbetweenacara had set the early pace under Aidan Coleman but Brennan made his move to the head of the field seven fences from home.

Nacarat tried to go with him but Imperial Commander jumped soundly and the Tom George-trained grey was struggling to stay with him at the top of the straight.

Imperial Commander negotiated the last couple of fences and, although he began to tire after the final obstacle, Brennan never looked like being caught.

Tidal Bay, who had raced out the back early on, produced a storming finish to reduce Imperial Commander's eight-length lead to just one and a quarter.

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