Trainer Ruth Jefferson waiting patiently for King George bid on Boxing Day

The injury-prone horse has not raced since finishing a fast finishing third to Defi Du Seuil and Un De Sceaux in last year’s Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown under Brian Hughes.

Now connections have opted to swerve this weekend’s renewal of the Tingle Creek, a Grade One race over two miles, because of unsuitably quick ground at the Esher track.

Instead Jefferson and owner Richard Collins have opted for Kempton’s three-mile race – the centrepiece of the Christmas racing programme.

Waiting Patiently was travelling well in the 2018 renewal of the King George, his first attempt at three miles, before being brought down with a circuit to go.

Yet the lightly-raced horse – the nine-year-old has won seven of his 13 career starts – has Grade One-winning form in the book after winning an emotional Ascot Chase in February 2018 shortly after the death of Jefferson’s father Malcolm who was instrumental in Waiting Patiently’s early development.

And the Malton trainer is pleased with Waiting Patiently big race preparations – for now.

“He is absolutely fine. He’s in the King George and that’s the plan for the moment,” she told The Yorkshire Post.

“He is very well in himself and he is where I would want him coming up to a run. It’s just keeping a lid on him and keeping him ticking over.”

Asked if horses like Waiting Patiently gave her sleepless nights, she simply said: “I can’t wrap him up in cotton wool as he is a racehorse and we have got to train him. We’ve got to where we are and we’ve just got to run him now.”

Jefferson is unsure whether Waiting Patiently will stay three miles – and this year’s King George looks set to be a vintage renewal with the Paul Nicholls-trained Clan Des Obeaux, the winner of the last two runnings, taking on stablemate Cyrname who was imperious when returning to winning ways in Wetherby’s Charlie Hall Chase on October 31.

“You don’t know until you try, but the King George is the plan,” says the trainer who is also looking for a boost as the cost of the Covid-19 pandemic continues to take its toll on racing.

Inevitably, some owners have opted to take horses out of training – Jefferson’s string is down to 20 – but she has invested £50,000 in a new sand gallop at her yard.

The idea, says Jefferson, is to save time taking horses to and from the Langton Wold Gallops on the other side of Malton to her stables, and to provide variety for her racehorses.

So far, she says, they appear to be thriving on the new regime – but a big run by Waiting Patiently would certainly lift her spirits.

“Keep your head down, rein in your spending and hope for the best,” added the trainer.

In other news, Haydock, Kempton, Lingfield and Ludlow are ready to welcome spectators back on track today – albeit with limited numbers.

It comes after the Government announced limited crowds would be permitted under the post-lockdown restrictions that take effect from today. Their Tier 2 status means they can welcome 2,000 racegoers or 50 per cent of their usual capacity. No crowds are permitted in Tier 3 areas.

Haydock and Kempton come under the Jockey Club Racecourses banner.

They have made the maximum number of tickets available between annual members, owners and general admission. Nevin Truesdale, group chief executive, said: “Last week’s Government announcement that a limited number of spectators will be allowed to return is a great first step on the road to recovery for sport in general.

“But there is no magic switch you flick to ensure your venues are instantly ready.”

Ludlow are limiting their numbers well below the 2,000 mark at about 650 as they look to find their feet before their Christmas meeting on December 16.

General manager and clerk of the course Simon Sherwood said: “The phones have been very busy.”

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