Imperial Commander hailed by the chief

NIGEL Twiston-Davies has no fears about the track as his Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Imperial Commander bids to follow up in the totesport Bowl at Aintree this afternoon on the opening day of the Grand National meeting.

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 just a nose by Kauto Star, as evidence to the contrary.

Joining Imperial Commander today will be stablemates and fellow Festival winners Pigeon Island, who lines up in the Red Rum Handicap Chase, and Baby Run, who tackles the giant 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."

Meanwhile, bookmakers have reacted to the news Timmy Murphy will remain loyal to Comply Or Die in Saturday's John Smith's Grand National. As the retained jockey to owner David Johnson, Murphy had the choice between the 2008 winner and last year's runner-up Comply Or Die and the considerably younger The Package. He sided with experience and totesport shortened Murphy's mount accordingly to 22-1 from 28s, while Ladbrokes offer 20s from 25-1.

Graham Lee, also a former Grand National winner, will be aboard The Package.

"Timmy Murphy will ride Comply Or Die. I've just been speaking to him and I told him it's make your mind up time, so he's decided to stay with Comply Or Die," said Johnson. "It doesn't surprise me as he's come first and second for the last two years."