Cheltenham Gold Cup: Commander ruled out of Friday feature

Imperial Commander (right) returned from a long absence at Cheltenham recently

The latest tale of woe in the stop-start career of 2010 Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander was revealed on Tuesday, with the 12-year-old gelding ruled out of this year's renewal with a lung infection.

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies was convinced that Imperial Commander was back in the same sort of form which saw him defeat Denman and Kauto Star in the 2010 renewal.

Having pulled up with a broken blood vessel the following year he missed a whole season but came back at Cheltenham in January with a solid run when only narrowly denied by Cape Tribulation in the Argento Chase.

Twiston-Davies said: "He's got a lung infection so he won't be going to Cheltenham; that's that.

"What can you do, it's an absolute sickener but they are very delicate creatures. I'm sure he's still as good as ever; he's been in great form, but you can't rush them.

"Hopefully he'll be OK for Liverpool."

Imperial Commander holds an entry for the Grand National, for which he is currently 70.069/1, though he could also go in the Bowl, which he unseated in on his next run after winning the Gold Cup.