Aintree will hold no fears for Twiston-Davies's star

The nine-year-old was a brilliant winner of the blue riband event at last month's Festival, his sixth course victory from a total of seven wins under Rules.

Some would argue he is less effective at other tracks but Twiston-Davies points to this season's Betfair Chase at Haydock, where he was beaten by just a nose by Kauto Star, as evidence to the contrary.

Joining Imperial Commander on the opening day of the Grand National meeting will be stablemates and fellow Festival winners Pigeon Island, who lines up in the Red Rum Handicap Chase, and Baby Run, who tackles the massive fences in the Fox Hunters' Chase.

"We're very much looking forward to it. We finished one Festival off with three winners on the final day and they all run on the first day of the next Festival, so it will be interesting," said Twiston-Davies.

"Imperial Commander is in very good form. The owners did take a bit of persuading to let him run again but we're ready to go and we'll see what happens.

"People will say he does most of his winning at Cheltenham but that doesn't worry me at all.

"There wasn't much wrong with his run at Haydock earlier in the season and Haydock is quite similar to Aintree in many ways.

"The only reason he's done most of his winning at Cheltenham is because that's where he runs most, and it's not a bad place to be winning."

Paul Nicholls, responsible for Cheltenham runner-up Denman and favourite and eventual faller Kauto Star, relies upon What A Friend on Merseyside.

The gelding, part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, has only been seen twice this term.

He finished a fine second to Denman in the Hennessy before getting up close home to taste a first Grade One success in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.

"We have purposefully kept him nice and fresh by missing Cheltenham and the drying conditions will really help," said Nicholls.

"Imperial Commander is the champion now, the Gold Cup holder and a horse who is going to be very hard to beat.

"What we have got on our side is being fresh, as the other horses have had harder seasons."

The three other declared runners are not forlorn hopes either.

Flat-track specialist Nacarat was saved for Aintree by Tom George after a valiant defeat in the Racing Post Chase, while Carruthers and Calgary Bay arrive at the course after respectable fourth and sixth place showings in the Gold Cup.