NIGEL TWISTON-DAVIES thinks the idea that Imperial Commander is too old to win another totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup is not valid.

The last 10-year-old to to win the Festival showpiece was Cool Dawn back in 1998 and before that Cool Ground in 1992.

Imperial Commander is a year younger than fellow Gold Cup winners Kauto Star and Denman, who are also set to line-up at Prestbury Park again two weeks on Friday. And Twiston-Davies believes the fact his charge has had just 18 races under Rules and a solitary Irish point-to-point means age is not an issue.

Twiston-Davies said: “How old was Kauto Star comparatively, when you think how early he started (in France)?

“Imperial Commander has had very few runs. He started at a very late age, so this ageing thing doesn’t seem the same with horses – it depends how much they have done. It’s miles on the clock.”

Imperial Commander is a best-priced 4-1 favourite with William Hill in his bid to win the Gold Cup for a second successive year. And Twiston-Davies is confident his Cheltenham specialist can do so.

He said: “Everyone makes too much of racecourses. He could run the other way around and he wins there (Cheltenham) because he runs there most. I don’t think his form at Haydock is very bad either.

“I fear the old brigade of Denman and Kauto Star. They are the ones that proved it and worry me more, but having said that, he’s beaten them.

“I can’t see what should be ahead of him (in the betting). That’s why he’s the favourite, there’s no young whippersnapper that frightens me.”