Waiting Patiently has been supplemented for Saturday’s Clarence House Chase at Ascot (2m) at a cost of £5,000. Trainer Ruth Jefferson says it had not been in her plans but that the horse is jumping out of his skin after that solid run in the King George, where he finished 2nd.
He’ll meet Politilogue and Defi Du Seuil at Ascot, and if he wins he’ll probably be second fav for the Queen Mother Champion Chase. If he loses on Saturday I very much doubt he’ll run in the Champion Chase. Betfred go 16/1 NRNB.
Waiting Patiently has won twice over two miles, but has mostly been campaigned at around 20f. His best performance was in beating Cue Card at Ascot over 21f almost three years ago, a race in which I’ve always believed he went wrong on landing over the last. Since then he’s had a number of training problems.
That Ascot win got him a Racing Post Rating of 171. But his run when 3rd in the 2019 Tingle Creek (2m) was rated at 169. He was beaten a length that day by Defi Du Seuil – Un De Sceaux was second.
My first thought when I saw the supplementary was that he’s going to struggle over 2 miles judging by his run in the King George, because he was noticeably outpaced there after landing over the 4th last, with Brian Hughes busy until the horse got his second wind approaching two out to storm home.
But, on reflection that was probably ring rust. It was his first run for over a year and it’s no surprise he had to fill his lungs late in the day. If he is finally over the years of training setbacks, and has lost none of his talent, he could easily win on Saturday, and, again if staying sound, would run a big race in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
It’s not often you have the chance to back something at 16/1, get to assess how wise the bet was in a live run, and then either see him shorten up or your money returned. For that, of course, you must depend on me having made the correct assumptions. He is already entered for the Champion Chase.
Regulars will know how fond I am of Defi Du Seuil, so I will watch on Saturday with mixed feelings. I thought his last run showed that he was uncomfortable jumping, not bending his back as he can, and taking a lot out of himself, especially at the early fences where he seemed at great pains not to touch a twig of birch. I’d happily have bet they’d find an ailment when they got him home, but nothing turned up. That’s twice in a row he has looked nothing like his old self. It would be good to see him run and jump much better on Saturday, but even if he wins, there are hints in his form that he is better right handed, so I wouldn’t be plunging for Cheltenham.
Politologue is a fine, consistent horse, but I believe he has made the best of his opportunties lately. It could be too that he goes particularly well for Harry Skelton, who is 2 from 2 on him, but won’t ride on Saturday as connections fear he will be committed to Nube Negra in the Queen Mother.
Whatever happens, it should be a cracking race.
All the best.
Joe
Steeplechasing 