BETFAIR ASCOT CHASE

(GRADE 1)

THE result that many people at Ascot last Saturday wanted duly came to pass when new Northern star Waiting Patiently claimed the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase.

In fact, there is unlikely to be a more emotionally arresting contest this season because the gallant veteran Cue Card, returning to something like his best, gave everything in second and was beaten under three lengths.

However, the tide of feeling was with Waiting Patiently, saddled by Ruth Jefferson following the recent passing of her popular father Malcolm. The seven-year-old is now unbeaten in six chases since joining the Jeffersons from Keith Reveley. He has yet to finish out of the first two in a nine-race career.

In a fascinating contest Cue Card, reunited with Paddy Brennan, was keen to force the pace and shook off Frodon after allowing him to lead in the early stages. He kicked on hard after the 11th but all the while Brian Hughes, in no great hurry, was making ground on the winner.

Waiting Patiently (2/1 favourite) was still going very well three out and led a fence later. From then on he was always going to win, despite wandering slightly, but Cue Card stayed on willingly to keep the margin down to just under three lengths. Frodon was 15 lengths away in third, followed by the rather disappointing Top Notch.

Ruth Jefferson, 36, took care of a difficult occasion very well indeed. Little-known in the south, she had plenty to prove but handled the events of an emotional week - Malcolm’s funeral was on Friday - with quiet dignity.

“Dad would have loved nothing more than to see this horse remain unbeaten for us,” she said. “He actually said it might do him good to get beaten because it would lower people’s expectations but I’m glad it didn’t happen today because there would have been a few blaming me.

“As a child, I used to cry when he went racing without me. I think I’ve run round after him more years than I want to count. I did other jobs as well but I’ve always come back to this.”

Last week’s race was over two miles and five furlongs and if Waiting Patiently goes to Cheltenham it will surely be for the Ryanair (4/1 from 8/1) but the trainer expressed various doubts.

CHELTENHAM

“Everyone else is obsessed by Cheltenham but we’re not that fussed,” she said.

“He’s quite a young horse, he made the odd mistake here and there today and whether the test of Cheltenham would suit him is up for debate.

“We always enjoy Aintree as much as Cheltenham and if there’s some cut in the ground we wouldn’t be afraid to go there.

“I don’t want to give him a hard time or injure him on good ground at Cheltenham when we’re not sure if it suits him. We’ll think about it.”

Cue Card showed that he is no back number at 12 and will go for either the Ryanair, which he won five years ago, or the Gold Cup, where he fell at the third-last last year and the year before. Trainer Colin Tizzard will leave the decision to owner Jean Bishop, who seems almost certain to opt for the big one and, perhaps, the perfect swan-song. There is no doubt Brennan will keep the ride.

Eddie Harty was disappointed with Coney Island, who was pulled up after never threatening.

“We didn’t learn anything at all and we’ll have to check him out,” he said. “At present we have to decide whether he goes to Cheltenham at all, never mind the choice of race.”