Jefferson’s landmark win for dad Malcolm
PATIENTLY UNBEATEN
RUTH JEFFERSON saddled Waiting Patiently to a landmark victory in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase – less than 24 hours after her father Malcolm’s funeral.
The 36-year-old (below) took over the running of the Norton stable in North Yorkshire when Malcolm succumbed to cancer earlier this month at the age of 71.
And Waiting Patiently, coming into the Betfairsponsored contest with a perfect five-from-five record over fences, gave his new trainer a first victory at the top level as he collared the heroic 12-year-old Cue Card for a two-and-three-quarterlength supremacy.
“Dad would loved to have been here, and he’d have loved nothing more than to see this horse remain unbeaten,” said Jefferson.
“He did say it would probably do him good to get beat – just to lower everyone’s expectations – but I’m glad he didn’t do it today, when it was his first run in my name.”
Waiting Patiently, who was giving jockey Brian Hughes his first triumph in Grade 1 company, is now as short as 3-1 second favourite for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham on March 15, but his trainer warned: “He definitely wants more cut than genuine good ground.
“There are plenty of other races bar Cheltenham – everyone else is obsessed except us.”
Our Duke came good at the third time of asking this season to beat Presenting Percy for Gowran Park’s Red Mills Chase – and is now 6-1 second choice for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. “We were stepping on the gas over the last three fences,” said the eight-year-old’s trainer Jessica Harrington.
Blaklion is no longer the Grand National favourite after finishing 54 lengths behind Yala Enki in Haydock Park’s Grand National Trial.