Patiently wins emotional G1 for Flemensfirth

The brilliant Waiting Patiently (7g Flemesfirth-Rossavon, by Beneficial) recorded his biggest success to date when seeing off Cue Card to win the G1 Betfair Ascot Chase on Saturday.

The Flemensfirth gelding, who has won all six of his starts over fences, was having his first run for trainer Ruth Jefferson following the death of her father Malcolm a fortnight ago.

"We always believed in him, but he settles so much better now, he can give you heart failure early in a race, but his jumping has been accurate and when Brian (Hughes) asks he gives everything,” said the successful trainer. “I think Dad would be crying now. He had a lot of belief in this horse and rated him very highly. No-one would have been shouting louder as he came over the line had he been here"

Waiting Patiently, who was bred by Vincent Finn, is now just 3/1 for the G1 Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

Owner Richard Collins added: “One thing me and Malcolm had a chat about before he died was don't be frightened of anything. He said, 'This horse is a good horse'. From there I was never daunted about coming down here. What makes this horse special is that turn of foot.

"We decided to go the two-and-a-half-mile route this season but the main aim will be the King George next season.”