English racing: Commander for Cheltenham Gold Cup
Published:Friday | March 18, 2011 | 12:00 AM
The big Cheltenham National Hunt Festival moves into final day with the meet's showpiece event, the $50 million Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase over three miles, two furlongs and 110 yards taking centre stage.
Today's Gold Cup has attracted 14 starters, including the 3-1 ante-post favourite IMPERIAL COMMANDER, who won the race last year ahead of previous winner, KAUTO STAR (5-1) and the 2009 winner DENMAN (6-1), both of whom renew rivalry. Both are conditioned by champion trainer Paul Nicholls, with stable jockey Walsh sticking with the legendary 11-year-old chaser KAUTO STAR.
IMPERIAL COMMANDER, with Paddy Brennan again in the saddle, won decisively on his seasonal debut, is even better for today's race and is tipped to repeat. Racing is also on at Lingfield, Fakenham and Wolverhampton in the evening, Aqueduct and Beulah Park from America.
WRITER'S TIPS: (5) Sam Winner (6) Officer In Command (7) Alaivar (8) Celticello (9) Silly Billy (10) Bobs Worth(11) Erzen (12) Old English (13) Imperial Commander(14) Wellforth (15) Protractor (16) On The Fringe (17) Caulkin (18) But Beautiful(19) Sir Des Champs (20) King Brex (22) Governor General (23) Thanks For That (25) Midnight Trader (26) Magic Prospect (28) Bestwegan
Post time for first race at Cheltenham 8:30 a.m.
TRACK PRICE PLUS/UBA NUMBERING