King George the aim for returning superstar Waiting Patiently
Ruth Jefferson's seven-year-old is on track to make his reappearance at Kempton after recovering from an injury
EXCITING prospect Waiting Patiently is set to make his return in the King George on Boxing Day.
The Grade 1-winning star hasn't been seen since beating Cue Card in the Ascot Chase earlier this year.
Trainer Ruth Jefferson's talented gelding has recovered from an injury and is on track for a crack at the Christmas showpiece.
The seven-year-old was forced to miss the start of the season with the same setback that ruled him out of the Aintree festival, but owner Richard Collins has revealed he's now back in full work.
Collins told At The Races: "The King George is the main target at the moment, but if we don't make it we could always drop back to two miles and he'll run in the Clarence House. He'll have an entry in Ireland as well. It's all ground dependent.
"He summered very well, we've taken our time with him to get him freshened up. We've picked him up the last week or so, but being ground dependent, we'll take it one step at a time.
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"I was always in a rush to get him over fences as I always thought he was more of a chaser than a hurdler. You can run them too often over hurdles and they can develop bad habits. He was always a natural chaser, but we've always known he wanted cut in the ground.
"I couldn't say I thought he'd be a 170 (rated) horse, you never think they'll get that high but it's fantastic that he is that high."
Trainer Colin Tizzard's Betfair Chase runner-up Native River is also on track for the King George.
Last year's Gold Cup winner had been mooted as a possible contender for the Christmas Chase at Leopardstown but is instead likely to stick to home ground.
Owner Garth Broom said: "I was very pleased with him on Saturday.
"I think we'll still probably go to Kempton rather than take him to Ireland. Obviously the options are more open now, without the £1 million bonus to think of.
"He's come out of the race really well, everything is fine, but I would think it's more likely we'll head to Kempton - more by choice than feel like we had to go.
"Obviously Kempton might not play to his strengths as much as Cheltenham, but if he goes there and puts up a similar performance as we build up to the Gold Cup we'll be happy.
"He ran all right in the Feltham (Kauto Star) there as a novice. But he wasn't the horse he is now, and it was partly human error that day because we held him up - we ride him a lot differently now.
"I think you've still got to be a fair stayer to win the King George. Because they tend to get racing a long way out, it brings stamina into play - it also tends to suit those who race prominently."