Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander may yet go gunning for more glory this season.

The impressive charge saw off star duo Kauto Star, who fell with four fences remaining, and Denman (second) to claim the big prize. And after his stunning seven-length victory, connections are weighing up the possibility of sending him out at the Grand National meeting at Aintree next month.

Many observers felt the Cheltenham heroics may earn Imperial Commander the rest of the season off.

But trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies is considering a shot at the Totesport Bowl at Aintree on April 8, two days before the Grand National.

“I don’t think it will come too soon, but I’ll have to talk to the owners,” Twiston-Davies said. “Let’s see how he is, but
it would be nice.

“There’s a lot of thinking and talking to do now.”

Meanwhile, the beaten favourites Kauto Star and Denman are unlikely to run again this season.

But trainer Paul Nicholls has scotched rumours that the Cheltenham defeat could be the end for Kauto Star.

“Kauto is a little bit stiff and sore after his fall, as you’d expect, but he’s bright in himself, as is Denman, who has come out of his race really well,” said Nicholls. “The pair of them are grand, fit and well, and they live to fight another day.

“[But] I think it’s very unlikely either of them will run again this season,” added the trainer.

However, Nicholls insisted his legendary duo still had more than enough left in them to win big races.

“Next season, I would love to think that Denman could go back and win a third Hennessy, and that Kauto could win another King George; they would be their targets at the end of the year,” Nicholls added.

Here in the UAE, South African trainer Mike De Kock is going for back-to-back victories in the Abu Dhabi Championship - the Listed feature race on today’s card in the final meeting of the season.

Mr Brock won the race last year for De Kock.

Today he will send out Biarritz and Wonder Lawn (who will be ridden by Frankie Dettori), and Hunting Tower.