Ruth Jefferson’s Waiting Patiently to return for King George as Ryan Mania eyes Wetherby

The Grade One winner, who turns 10 on New Year’s Day, has had only 13 starts in his injury-plagued career – winning seven – and Jefferson herself describes him as “physically fragile”.

Owned by Richard Collins and ridden by champion jockey Brian Hughes, he has not raced since finishing an eye-catching third in Sandown’s prestigious Tingle Creek Chase in December last year.

That race was over the minimum trip of two miles, and while Waiting Patiently is still unknown over the King George trip of three miles after being brought down in the 2018 renewal with a circuit to go, the Malton trainer is hopeful.

“A lot of good horses now only run three times a season – it goes back to Henrietta Knight with Best Mate when he was winning three Gold Cups,” she explained.

“If you get three runs out of a horse and they are all in Grade One or Twos and they run their race every time you kind of don’t mind.

“To finish so close in a Tingle Creek but then have to finish his season there was a little bit gutting – but we’re optimistic fools who train racehorses, so we’re back again.

“All I really want is a clear round, then we’ll know if he stays or if he’s good enough. Two years ago he was nearly favourite, I think. Now we’re 25-1 and forgotten about.”

Meanwhile, Windsor Avenue, trained by Brian Ellison, is the sole Yorkshire entry in Wetherby’s feature Rowland Meyrick Chase on the same afternoon.

The three-mile race, which can be a Grand National trial, was won 12 months ago by Phil Kirby’s now injury-sidelined Top Ville Ben in a dominant display under Tommy Dowson who has been booked to ride The Dutchman, a former Aintree contender.

Elsewhere, Ryan Mania, victorious in the 2013 National on Auroras Encore, is an eye-catching jockey booking for Charlie Longsdon’s Snow Leopardess who won last time out at Haydock and who will relish the testing ground.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click HERE to subscribe.