Commander for Ryanair

Nigel Twiston-Davies expects Imperial Commander to tackle the Ryanair Chase rather than the Gold Cup at next week's Cheltenham Festival.

The Paddy Power Gold Cup winner stepped up to three miles for the King George VI Chase but faded tamely and has not been seen since.

The trainer has been weighing up both races and is hoping that his lengthy break will have done him the world of good.

"He's been great, he's had a bit of time off and we've freshened him up as he goes well fresh," said Twiston-Davies.

"We think he will probably be going for the Ryanair but he'll be declared for both.

"He won a handicap (Paddy Power) as he pleased and the horse that was second to him there (Barbers Shop) is going for the Gold Cup so the world could be his oyster," he told At The Races.