Mark Bradstock has vowed to return with Carruthers for another crack at the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup after his charge finished a gallant fourth behind the new champion Imperial Commander.

The seven-year-old, from Brad-stock’s Letcombe Bassett yard, near Wantage, made much of the running under Mattie Batchelor before Imperial Commander and Denman slugged it out at the head of affairs over the last four fences.

Nigel Twiston-Davies’s nine-year-old pulled away away after the last fence under Paddy Brennan to record a glorious triumph.

Carruthers looked set for third only to be pipped a short head by Grand National hero Mon Mome, who flew up the hill – 23 lengths adrfit of runner-up Denman.

Bradstock was thrilled by his stable star’s bold display.

“I’m over the moon,” he said minutes later. “He’s run a great race.

“Our horse is only seven and will be back next year.”

This week, Bradstock’s wife, Sara, was still glowing with pride over Carruthers’ run.

“Wasn’t he a star?” she said. “He is only a baby. Next year he will improve and they are all considerably older, and we can dream of getting closer to them.”

Carruthers is unlikely to renew rivalry with Imperial Commander in the totesport Bowl at Aintree next month or go to Perth where his rivals would probably include Monet’s Garden, but he could travel to Ireland for the Punchestown Gold Cup.

Calgary Bay, from Henrietta Knight’s West Lockinge stables, near Wantage, finished a creditable sixth, with Graham Lee reporting that his mount didn’t stay.

Paul Webber, who trains at Mollington, near Banbury, plans to let Time For Rupert have another crack at Big Buck’s in the John Smith’s Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree on Thursday, April 8 The six-year-old put up a career-best effort at Cheltenham when beating all bar the winner in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

Iris de Balme, the star of Sean Curran’s Hatford stables, near Stanford in the Vale, is to miss the John Smith’s Grand National on Saturday, April 10.

The 2008 Scottish National winner was scratched on Tuesday.

Roulez Cool, from Robert Waley-Cohen’s Edge Hill yard, near Banbury, was also taken out.

But Palypso de Creek, from Charlie Longsdon’s yard, near Chipping Norton, looks set to start.

Meanwhile, Youmzain, West Ilsley trainer Mick Channon’s standard bearer, has a fourth crack at the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan on Saturday.