Brennan (right) has ridden Imperial Commander in his last eight races

Paddy Brennan is confident Imperial Commander can repeat the form which saw him win the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The nine-year-old gelding will make his seasonal reappearance at Haydock in the Betfair Chase on 20 November.

"It's going to take a hell of a performance [to win]. He's going to have to be in the form of his life," Brennan told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"I'm sure he can be, and if he's as good as last year and a little bit better I can't see why he won't."

If all goes to plan Imperial Commander will then race in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day and go on to defend his Gold Cup crown at Cheltenham on 18 March.

By that time he will be 10 years old but Brennan thinks the best could be yet to come from a horse who has only raced 18 times.

"I do think he'll improve again. Obviously there are horses coming like What A Friend, Denman and Kauto Star, but I think he [Imperial Commander] is going to improve again and he's very exciting," Brennan said.

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