Our Friends in the North

The 2010 Gold Cup, many expected, was to be the contest that answered all the questions. It was champion versus champion, Kauto Star versus Denman. Instead, racing being racing, it simply posed more questions and introduced a new star.

After Kauto Star fell at the nineteenth fence, Imperial Commander, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and owned by the Our Friends in The North partnership, loomed up alongside Denman and went steadily away to score a thoroughly deserved victory by seven lengths.

Twiston-Davies bought Imperial Commander privately for £30,000 on behalf of the six-strong syndicate, put together by Newcastle United fan Ian Robinson. Having visited Cheltenham as an eleven-year-old to see The Dikler win the 1973 Gold Cup, Robinson made it his ambition to win the blue ribband event himself. On his love for the sport, Robinson recalls: “Every Saturday, racing was part of the agenda, so it was always in the blood.”

Imperial Commander certainly loved Cheltenham. A disappointing effort in the King George was quickly forgotten when he bounced back in the Ryanair Chase at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival, notching up a fifth win at Prestbury Park. In November, he came agonisingly close to another Grade 1 win in the Betfair Chase when he was involved in a tremendous duel with Kauto Star, who just prevailed.

The defeat fuelled Robinson’s optimism: “We’d come very close at Haydock in the Betfair Chase and losing narrowly wasn’t really the point. The point was our guy against the best chaser we’ve ever seen and making a good fist of it.”

Another heavy defeat followed at Kempton, but Cheltenham favoured Imperial Commander and confidence grew as the Gold Cup approached. Despite the build-up revolving around the big two, Robinson was still feeling the pinch, saying: “It was an intense time. Everything was pinned on him.”

Kauto Star took a terrible-looking fall at the fourth fence from home and, urged on by Tony McCoy, Denman took the lead down the hill. Paddy Brennan was soon on his quarters, stalking McCoy ominously. Stamina had always been Denman’s strong suit but this time he did not have anything more to give.

Imperial Commander touched down on the landing side of the last and went steadily away up the infamous incline. It was the perfect day for Twiston-Davies, who also won the Grand Annual with Pigeon Island, while son Sam partnered Baby Run to victory in the Foxhunters Chase.

The son of Fleminsfirth went on to win the Betfair Chase the following Autumn, which turned out to be the last victory of his illustrious career. The thrills and spills of Imperial Commander’s career are etched in Robinson’s memory: "He was great for the yard and the owners, and it was the journey of a lifetime. There’ll never be another Imperial Commander. It doesn’t matter how many more I buy; nothing will ever replace him.”