• Cheltenham Festival

Imperial Commander leads Gold Cup field

ESPN staff
March 12, 2011
Imperial Commander is the reigning champion © Getty Images
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Betting - Kauto going for Gold at Cheltenham

Reigning champion Imperial Commander heads the 15-strong field for the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday.

At the six-day stage, previous winners Kauto Star and Denman feature in a star-studded field alongside stablemates What A Friend and Neptune Collonges.

Imperial Commander was the surprise winner last year after leading runners Denman and Kauto Star disappointed, and Imperial Commander's trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies admitted the pressure is on the 10-year-old to defend his crown.

"There is a lot more pressure this year but hopefully he'll be back where he belongs," Twiston-Davies said.

Nicky Henderson enters King George VI Chase winner Long Run as he bids for his first taste of Gold Cup glory.

Kempes, China Rock and Pandorama lead the Irish charge, with champion jockey Tony McCoy set to ride JP McManus' Kempes.

Tidal Bay, Midnight Chase, Albertas Run, Carruthers, Synchronised and Weird Al complete the field.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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