The Ruth Jefferson trained Waiting Patiently has been given two opposite options for the start of his season as the versatile chaser could be seen in either the Betfair Tingle Creek or the Ladbrokes 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 given the stable star options in either Grade One options over two miles or potentially further, but with his fragile nature the female handler will have to be very careful with with the gelding who has not been seen for nearly a year.
ABSOLUTELY, BREATHTAKING...
— The Winners Enclosure (@TWEnclosure) December 7, 2019
Defi Du Seuil JUST manages to hold off Un De Sceaux and Waiting Patiently in the Tingle Creek 🐎
Next stop Champion Chase?! 👀
🎬 @RacingTV pic.twitter.com/oP2gebYGsc
The Tingle Creek on Saturday week is a possible option for Waiting Patiently, but he could be sent down an alternative path which begins with the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.
(Credit ATR) Jefferson said: “He’s got a King George entry and a Tingle Creek entry, and we just have to figure something out with which one to go for.
“I know they are sort of extremes, being two miles and three miles. But we thought if we put him in, then we could have a look when we had a better idea, nearer the time.
“He’s fine at home. He’s working well and he’s happy, so fingers crossed he stays that way.”