Imperial Commander announced his arrival in the upper echelons and provided Nigel Twiston-Davies with a memorable second success in the Paddy Power Gold Cup when tanking home at Cheltenham.

Sixteen years on from Tipping Tim's win in the then-Mackeson, the local handler repeated the feat with an unexposed seven-year-old who he rates in the same bracket as his former stable star.

Indeed the Naunton trainer even went as far as mentioning three-time Gold Cup winner Best Mate as he heaped superlatives on the 13-2 winner.

Twiston-Davies' representative missed most of last season, resulting in him being attractively handicapped at the foot of the weights for one of the season's most prestigious handicaps.

Connections brought the gelding out for his first run in 337 days and their plan worked to perfection, with Paddy Brennan taking his mount to the front jumping the water on the far side of the track.

Imperial Commander could be seen charging along down the hill approaching the second-last and despite the best efforts of the well-backed Barbers Shop, he crossed the line with two and three-quarter lengths in hand.

The pair were 11 lengths clear of Private Be, with 11-4 favourite Silverburn adding to Paul Nicholls' luckless run in the race by finishing back in sixth.

Twiston-Davies said: "That was the plan and it's lovely when a plan works out.

"His season last year was curtailed by growing pains and he would have possibly won a SunAlliance - but we made this the plan instead.

"He jumps, gallops and does everything. He is such a big, scopey horse that he reminds me of a Best Mate type.

"I know it was a spur of the moment thing, but Paddy said he's the best chaser he's ever ridden.

"I didn't know he was in the Hennessy, but that could easily be his next race and we will have a look at it.

"He's also in the King George - but is he a King George horse? We'll have to have a big think about that race with the owners.

"He's got plenty of class and that was only his fourth run over fences."

Imperial Commander rocketed up the betting for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup after his win with William Hill going 5-1, Victor Chandler 6s and Coral 7s.

Brennan added: "That felt very easy as he travelled everywhere I put him.

"This is a very special day. I rode Ballyfitz to win at the Festival but this tops it as the Paddy Power is a very special race.

"He is the best chaser I have ridden. I have never been happier and I have got to be happy as tomorrow I could be flat on my back."

Nicky Henderson was far from despondent after Barbers Shop's valiant effort in defeat.

He said: "All went well for him during the race, but he's still a baby and is only six.

"He's done everything right and will probably stay three miles.

"The obvious thing is to come back here for the equivalent Boylesports-sponsored race at the next meeting."