Leading fancy Waiting Patiently to miss big Cheltenham betting race

Waiting Patiently, who is yet to taste defeat over fences and was as short as 12-1 for the BetVictor Gold Cup, will not be running at Cheltenham next weekend.

Unbeaten in four chases, with his most recent success coming in the Listed Colin Parker Chase at Carlisle on Sunday, Waiting Patiently is an exciting prospect, but connections will not rush the six-year-old.

Ruth Jefferson, daughter and assistant to trainer Malcolm Jefferson, said on Thursday: "It's going to come too soon for him. There are other options for him.

"We'll see what the handicapper does. He might get an entry in the Tingle Creek, there's a race in Ireland and there is the Caspian Caviar December Gold Cup at Cheltenham. There's no rush and we'd rather wait."

Cloudy Dream: could represent the Jefferson yard in the BetVictor Gold CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

Cloudy Dream could still represent the yard, though the ground will be a determining factor for the seven-year-old, who, along with Top Gamble and Politologue, has been allotted topweight for the race.

The Old Roan Chase runner-up prefers better ground, and Jefferson added: "We'll confirm him on Monday and see what the ground does then make a decision on declaration day."

There are no shortage of exciting chasers in Jefferson's yard, with Cyrus Darius, who is two from two over fences, another to catch the eye when winning at Ayr last weekend.

The handicapper also took note as the eight-year-old has gone up 8lb for a three-quarters of a length win, and Jefferson said: "The handicapper saw him win so we'll probably go to Haydock [November 25] for a graduation chase."

BetVictor Gold Cup card

If you are interested in this, you might also like:

Smad Place turns back the clock to win the battle of the greys

Cloudy Dream lights up day for in-form Jefferson

Cheltenham changes name of Open meeting to avoid golf confusion