The Ruth Jefferson trained Waiting Patiently made a superb return to the track at the weekend when finishing a narrow third in the Grade One Tingle Creek at Sandown which has left his trainer dreaming of something big over Christmas.
The eight year old owned by Richard Collins had been off the track for 246 days before showing some of his best form for a while needing just an extra furlong to have won the race just not getting to the line in time and finishing in behind Defi Du Seuil and Un De Sceaux.
The taking performance showed his staying ability and maybe the step up to further than two miles would have thought to be the next step but Jefferson believes her gelding can take a big race over two miles this season.
However, the trainer is also being realistic and has entered the Grade One winner in race over two and half miles aswell but is still yet to make a decision on where he will head next.
(Credit Racing Post) She said: "I was very proud of what he achieved. He's come back and run really well. Everyone said straight away 'are you going up in trip?' But he isn't slow, is he?
"He's in good form and he's come out of the race all right. He's proved he's well able to rock at that level."
The two contests on the radar of Jefferson's stable star is the Grade One Paddy's Rewards Club "Loyalty's Dead, Live For Rewards" Chase at Leopardstown on December 27 which he could face the really exciting Chacun Pour Soi for Willie Mullins.
On the other hand if he wanted to stay in England the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton on the same day has to be of clear interest to the team with that race being won by Altior last season.
"He's in at Leopardstown, there's the Desert Orchid, the Clarence House, the Ascot Chase and the Queen Mother and Ryanair," Jefferson said.
"I can't leave him for Cheltenham because I wouldn't know what the ground will be there and he loves it soft.
"If he's all right in three weeks he might go to Ireland or he might go for the Desert Orchid. If he's not, he might wait for the Clarence House and hope that's soft."