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 on Thursday.
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 on the opening day of the Grand National meeting 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. ( A 40/1 selection for me in this race...details on members line NOW )
"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. 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."
Paul Nicholls, responsible for Cheltenham runner-up Denman and eventual faller and favourite Kauto Star, relies upon What A Friend on Merseyside.
The gelding, part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, has only been seen twice this term.
He finished a fine second to Denman in the Hennessy before getting up close home to taste a first Grade One success in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.
Nicholls said: "We have kept him nice and fresh by missing Cheltenham and the drying conditions will really help. Imperial Commander is the champion now, the Gold Cup holder and a horse who is going to be very hard to beat."
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