“ROLL on the King George VI Stakes” was the defiant message from Naunton-based trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies after seeing Imperial Commander win the Betfair Chase.

This year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner made a victorious start to his new National Hunt season at the Haydock showpiece.

The 10-11 favourite, ridden by Paddy Brennan, is now set to line up for the King George VI Stakes at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Here, Twiston-Davies’ nine-year-old star hopes to prevent Kauto Star winning for a fifth consecutive year.

Imperial Commander had an eight-length lead at one stage, but this was reduced to one-and-a-quarter lengths, with Tidal Bay finishing second and Planet of Sound third.

Brennan guided Imperial Commander to the lead seven fences from the end and now hopes for more joy over the festive period.

But the winning horse has had to have a week of box rest after suffering a cut to his foreleg during the victory.

Nigel said: “Imperial Commander is on a great run, I’m very pleased. It was absolutely superb, I couldn’t be happier. He’ll definitely come on for the race (King George). There is only so much you can do at home.

“He was fit but he wasn’t hyper-fit. I’m now looking forward to a more competitive race when he doesn’t have to do so much of the work on his own.

“Everything being alright, he’ll go to Kempton and so roll on the King George. I’ve got no doubts for the race and no worries about Kempton.”

Meanwhile, Twiston-Davies’ son Sam continued his fine year’s form, winning on 15-2 favourite Hello Bud at Aintree on Sunday in the Becher Chase. This victory follows his winning ride on Little Josh in the Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase the previous week at Cheltenham.