The Ruth Jefferson trained Waiting Patiently has snubbed the two mile Tingle Creek Chase and will instead make his seasonal debut at Kempton on Boxing Day in the King George VI Chase.
The nine year old owned by Richard Collins on his last outing 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 in the Tingle Creek at Sandown, 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 it has gave the stable star options in either Grade One options over two miles or potentially further, but with his fragile nature the female handler has now decided to send him down the staying chase division.
Waiting Patiently “absolutely bouncing” ahead of his intended return in the King George @kemptonparkrace on Boxing Day.🏇https://t.co/PCYcxXDDz0 pic.twitter.com/J75AUtP6iL
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 5, 2018
Waiting Patiently’s has only once in his career ran over three miles and it came in the King George in 2018, where he unfortunately unseated his rider after being hampered by the fall of Bristol De Mai half way through the event.
With the yard and connections still not knowing whether he will get the trip, they want to try one more time before they think of going down a different route with the chaser and he is reported to be in superb form ahead of his return.
“He’s absolutely fine,” said the Malton trainer.
“His owner Richard was very keen to try him again at three miles in the King George.
“We came to an agreement we’d give him a Tingle Creek entry and see what the ground was. If it was soft/heavy, we’d go for it – but it’s only just going to be soft and not heavy, so it’s back to plan A.
“Everything is going fine, touch wood, so at the moment we are looking ahead to Boxing Day.”