No Gold Cup bid for Waiting Patiently but Cheltenham Festival on the agenda

There will not have been many horses who finished a staying-on second in the King George VI Chase whose connections did not harbour Gold Cup dreams.

Ruth Jefferson admits she gave the thought an airing with owner Richard Collins in the immediate aftermath of Waiting Patiently's fine run behind Frodon at Kempton on Boxing Day – but only for about 20 minutes.

Waiting Patiently will be given the option of two of the Cheltenham Festival's marquee races when entries close on Tuesday, but the Gold Cup, for which he is a top-priced 33-1, will not be one of them.

Watch the King George VI Chase

The hugely talented ten-year-old showed three miles held no fears for him in the Ladbrokes-sponsored King George, on what was his first start since chasing home Defi Du Seuil over two miles in the Tingle Creek 13 months earlier.

Waiting Patiently (left): the King George runner-up is likely to be trained for speed rather than the Gold CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

Jefferson has been thrilled with the way her lightly raced stable star has come out of Kempton, and she and Collins look likely to favour speed rather than stamina in the immediate future.

"I had to ride him out on Tuesday, he was so fresh after his race, so he seems to be okay," said Jefferson, who has had to live up to Waiting Patiently's name throughout a career interrupted by more than one physical niggle.

"You never quite know when you're out of the woods with him, but it's a positive that he's sound, happy and raring to get back out on the gallops.

"He's always ended his own season after three runs. That's all we've ever managed to get out of him, so it came to the point where that’s all I ever planned!"

Jefferson was understandably delighted with Waiting Patiently's King George performance under a cool Brian Hughes ride, and it will be Grade 1s for the rest of the season – but not the Gold Cup.

Ruth Jefferson, Richard Collins and Brian Hughes will aim to win a second Betfair Ascot Chase next monthCredit: Mark Cranham

"In the 20 minutes after the race when everyone was a bit delirious, Gold Cups were mentioned," said Jefferson. "But on reflection we thought it probably wasn't that strong a stayers' race and we've decided to give him a Queen Mother Champion Chase and a Ryanair entry.

"He'll probably go back for the Ascot Chase and then we’ll look at either Cheltenham or Aintree."

Waiting Patiently is available at 16-1 for the Ryanair Chase and Jefferson said: "I didn’t really think he'd ever have a problem with three miles around Kempton because it’s such a speed track and he has a high cruising speed.

"But if the Gold Cup turned into a slog, that extra two furlongs up the hill could be a different matter."

Jefferson admitted there was still time for a last-minute change of heart but, given Waiting Patiently has yet to tackle the Cheltenham hill over any trip, the temptation to go for the Gold Cup does not look likely to hold sway.

More to read:

'I can't believe we're King George winners!' – Frodon and Frost light up Kempton

Al Boum Photo completes Grade 3 hat-trick en route to third Gold Cup

Tizzard reveals new target for stable star and Gold Cup third Lostintranslation

'It looked for all the world like he needed two and a half' - Henderson on Altior

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