IMPERIAL COMMANDER will miss the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
But trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies expects his nine-year-old to head straight to Cheltenham to defend his Gold Cup crown in March.
Imperial Commander suffered a cut to his leg when winning the Betfair Chase at Haydock last month on his seasonal reappearance.
Connections had been hopeful he would be fit to take on Kauto Star in the Christmas feature contest. But they have admitted defeat and will concentrate on getting him ready for the Cheltenham Festival
Twiston-Davies said: “He’s out of the King George. He just has a slight infection in his leg and it means we will not be able to get him absolutely cherry-ripe for Kempton.
“It’s nothing serious at all. He will probably go straight to the Gold Cup, but that’s not written in stone.”
Twiston-Davies added: “He’s back on antibiotics and he can’t canter for two weeks.
“I’m not bottling it, I’d do anything to get him there (King George). We wanted to prove we are the best horse around, but he’ll be at the Gold Cup in March and we’ll do it then.”
With Imperial Commander’s defection several bookmakers now make Kauto Star odds-on to land an historic fifth King George. Paul Nicholls’ 10-year-old is a best-priced evens with Coral, William Hill, Blue Square, bet365, Paddy Power and Sportingbet.
Meanwhile David Pipe is hoping Great Endeavour can improve on his run in the Paddy Power Gold Cup back at Cheltenham for Saturday’s Vote AP Gold Cup.
The six-year-old won at last season’s Cheltenham Festival in March over course and distance when taking the Byrne Group Plate.
But on his seasonal reappearance he was sixth behind Little Josh in last month’s Paddy Power.
Pipe said: “Great Endeavour is an intended runner. He ran okay in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham last month, but hopefully he will put up a better show this time.
“He is in good form at home. He didn’t jump with his usual fluency in the Paddy Power.”
Great Endeavour is a best-priced 9-1 with Stan James behind the current favourites Little Josh and Nicky Henderson’s Dave’s Dream who are both available at around 6-1.
The Pond House handler also had another runner among the 18 left in at the five-day stage in Matuhi.
Pipe added: “Matuhi won at Ascot on his seasonal debut and probably ran an even better race when second to Aigle D’Or at Newbury over a shorter trip.
“The step up in distance for the Vote AP Gold Cup should suit him and he is at the right end of the weights if he does run. I have to speak to his owner before we make a final decision.”
Little Josh is aiming to follow up his win in the Paddy Power and could be joined by stable-mate Pigeon Island.
Paul Nicholls Poquelin is the top weight on 11st 12lb, as he bids to win 2m5f contest for a second successive year.
Nicholls has also left in French import Robinson Collonges, a facile winner of a three-horse affair at Hereford last time.
Henrietta Knight is expected to run Calgary Bay at Cheltenham.
She was hoping to send him to Doncaster but with prospects of racing better at Cheltenham, the West Lockinge trainer said of the seven-year-old: “We had hoped Calgary Bay would go to Doncaster this weekend but that looks hopeless, so he’ll probably go to Cheltenham.
“They have to run somewhere and at least Cheltenham have covers down.”
TODAY’S NAP: Carragold (3pm Southwell)
