Argento Chase an outside option for Imperial Commander

Six of Imperial Commander's eight wins have come at Cheltenham

Nigel Twiston-Davies' assistant trainer Carl Llewellyn has revealed Imperial Commander might run in the Argento Chase at Cheltenham on 29 January.

The Gold Cup winner is out of the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day after cutting his leg in November.

Llewellyn told BBC Gloucestershire: "It is a possibility and will be discussed depending on how his injury comes on.

"But then the other thing to consider is whether that's going to be too close to the Gold Cup for him to recover."

Twiston-Davies' original intention was for Imperial Commander to run three times during the season, but having won the Betfair Chase at Haydock last month, the horse has been struggling with an infected cut and plans are being reviewed.

The Argento Chase comes just under seven weeks before the Gold Cup and would give Imperial Commander a month less to recover than 2007 and 2009 winner Kauto Star, while 2008 champion Denman will not race again before the festival.

"If he had a hard race, would he get to the Gold Cup 100% fit and well?" Llewellyn added.

"We'll just wait and see how the injury comes on."