WAITING PATIENTLY POISED TO STRIKE RACING
WAITING PATIENTLY is primed to end a 22-year drought for the north in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day – on his very first start of the season. It would be a remarkable training performance as the exciting seven-yearold has not had a prep race.
But his Malton handler Ruth Jefferson is confident that the unbeaten chaser – he has won six out of six – will lack nothing in fitness.
She said: “He is a clean-winded horse and easy to get fit. I am really pleased with him. He had a lovely summer on the grass and he looked fab when he came back. Since then he has never really given us a moment’s worry.
“We obviously had a touch of an injury that we needed to monitor but he has done everything that we wanted him to do and he has just come along the way we wanted him to come along, so I am really happy with him.”
Waiting Patiently is currently the 9-2 second favourite for the 32Red-sponsored race but has not been seen since an emotional success in the Ascot Chase in February, when he beat Cue Card.
The victory came the day after the funeral of Ruth’s father, Malcolm, the legendary Yorkshire trainer.
This will also be the first time that Waiting Patiently has tackled three miles but Jefferson is confident he will handle the step up in trip.
“It’s not a worry to me because I think he will stay but until he does I suppose you don’t know, do you?
“A lot of good horses will be effective over every trip, won’t they? He has got
speed, he has got stamina, probably his biggest asset is his ability to switch off in a race and not do too much too early which will help him see out the trip.
“What impressed us at Ascot wasn’t just that he switched off, they went a hell of a gallop round Ascot with Cue Card but when Brian said will you go… off he went.”
The brilliant grey One Man was the last northern-trained horse to win the
King George in 1996 for the late Gordon Richards.
His son Nicky, who now trains from Greystoke in Cumbria, said: “I hope Waiting Patiently goes down there and runs a huge race.
“It would be great for the north.” Richards, who has his yard in tip-top form, is hopeful that Takingrisks can run a big race at Wetherby on Wednesday in the Rowland Meyrick Chase. He has Nick Alexander’s Lake View Lad to beat.
Back at Kempton, the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase looks like it will be a mouth-watering renewal with Nicky Henderson’s Santini heading the market. But Bags Groove has jumped beautifully on his three victories over fences and he could be more suited to the track than the favourite.
The Coral Welsh National on Thursday at Chepstow looks ultra-competitive but that race could also go to the north in the shape of Vintage Clouds.
Fourth last year, Vintage Clouds is trained at Bingley by Sue and Harvey Smith and has the Randox Health Grand National as his main target later this season.
He won at Haydock on his reappearance and he can give Danny Cook another big race sucess.
Looksnowtlikebrian should run a huge race for Tim Vaughan while it would be some performance from Colin Tizzard’s Elegant Escape if he can carry 11st 8lb to victory.