Lung infection ends Imperial Commander’s Gold Cup bid

A lung infection has put paid to the dream of the 12-year-old attempting to regain the blue riband prize of jumps racing.

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies was convinced Imperial Commander was back in the same sort of form which saw him defeat Denman and Kauto Star in the 2010 renewal.

Having pulled up with a broken blood vessel the following year, he missed a whole season but came back at Cheltenham in January with a fine run when only narrowly denied by Cape Tribulation in the Argento Chase.

“He’s got a lung infection so he won’t be going to Cheltenham, that’s that,” said Twiston-Davies.

“What can you do? It’s an absolute sickener but they are very delicate creatures.

“I’m sure he’s still as good as ever, he’s been in great form, but you can’t rush them. Hopefully, he’ll be okay for Liverpool.”

Paul Costello, syndicate manager for owners Our Friends In The North, said: “With it being this close to the Festival we didn’t want to take any chances.

“Older horses can be susceptible to more little problems than younger horses, but I think this has just been a bit of bad luck that could have happened at any time.”

Imperial Commander was given 11st 6lb in the National and the owners may consider that along with other major races later in the spring.

Imperial Commander’s regular jockey Paddy Brennan would be happy to take the National as a consolation prize.

“He’ll never run in a Gold Cup again, that’s the bottom line,” he said. “But if he wins a Grand National, I won’t be complaining.”

Meanwhile Cue Card will not take on Sprinter Sacre in the Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday, March 13.

The 2010 Champion Bumper winner will instead run in the Ryanair Chase a day later, as long as Sprinter Sacre is able to take his chance in the two-mile showpiece.

Cue Card was beaten by seven lengths by Nicky Henderson’s ace in the Arkle Trophy last year and connections want to avoid him this time.

“He will run in the Ryanair, but he will be left in the Champion Chase,” said trainer Colin Tizzard. “If the favourite runs in the Champion Chase we will go for the Ryanair. It’s obvious, isn’t it? We would be foolish not to leave him in the Champion Chase in case something happened to the big black horse (Sprinter Sacre).”