I've posted this on various threads already, but I really do think Malcolm Jefferson's Waiting Patiently is going to the very top over fences and is one to follow this season. I haven't been this excited about a horse since Thistlecrack in his second season over hurdles and this fella seems to have the same potential at this stage of his career. A beautiful jumper of a fence, he has a high cruising speed and just seems to do everything so effortlessly. As a novice last season he readily dismissed Brian Ellison's Forest Bihan (now rated 158) and Paul Nicholls' Politologue who so nearly tasted Grade 1 glory in the Maghull Novices Chase at Aintree. Waiting Patiently made his seasonal reappearance in the Graduation Chase at Carlisle today and was sent off 4/5 fav ahead of Venetia Williams' Belami Des Pictons, winner of his last 3 races, rated 148 and only once tasted defeat in a 6 race career. Without wishing to sound melodramatic, Waiting Patiently absolutely hosed up today. He jumped magnificently (apart from just brushing through the top of one) and Brian Hughes was oozing confidence as he cruised past Belami Des Pictons at the second last and won as he wanted, in the end by two and a half lengths. He was particularly fluent at the downhill open ditch on both circuits and will surely improve for this blow out. The Paddy Power Gold Cup (or whatever it is called these days) might be his next port of call and I think he could be a serious King George horse if all goes well.
One of the most progressive and consistent chasers in the north, with the potential to prove superior to handicap class. Shaped very well in the 2015/16 season for former handler Keith Reveley, running Cloudy Dream to one and a quarter lengths on his second start in an extended 2m 3f novices hurdle at Doncaster, before winning a 2m 4f novices hurdle at Sedgefield in January. Moved to this trainer on the retirement of his former handler and made a winning debut over fences from a mark of 123 in an extended 2m novices handicap chase at Sedgefield in November, winning with more in hand than the seven lengths margin would suggest. Beat Forest Bihan a few days later over the same trip at Newcastle before handling a step up in class to beat the useful Politologue by one and a quarter lengths in a 2m 4f Grade 2 novices chase at Haydock. Second foal of an unraced half sister to 2m 4f hurdle/chase winner Ciara's Prince, 3m hurdle/chase winner Jo Jo Boy and 3m 1f hurdle/chase winner Yankee Jamie. Both trainer and owner have stressed that they were not going to ask too much of of the horse last seaon in the belief that he would reward patient handling. A careful rather than spectacular jumper, he travels well through a race and relishes soft ground. Bred to stay three miles in time and has the ability to win again off 150 before stepping up in grade.
Been away this weekend and just watched this race as Waiting Patiently is one I was also keen to follow this season. Good news for racing when a good un comes out of a smaller yard. The only caveat I'd add is that the trainer has always expressed the view that he needs soft ground. He missed the festival last year through a slight niggle but Jefferson had already stated that he was unlikely to participate in the JLT due to the likely good ground. I wouldn't be backing him AP for anything festival wise but he's one to follow throughout the season no doubt about that.
