Jefferson aims Waiting Patiently at Ryanair as Gold Cup is deemed a step too far

Waiting Patiently's connections have pinned their colours to the Ryanair Chase mast, believing the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup is an unrealistic target this season.

The eight-year-old, who has been entered for the Listed 32Red Casino Chase at Kempton on Saturday, was brought down when Bristol De Mai fell at the ninth fence in the King George on Boxing Day, which prevented trainer Ruth Jefferson and owner Richard Collins from discovering whether the Gold Cup trip could be within range.

The 2m4½f Ryanair Chase, for which his odds on Monday ranged from 5-1 to 12-1, is the goal with entries for the race released on Thursday.

Waiting Patiently: entered at Kempton on SaturdayCredit: John Hoy

Jefferson said: "He probably won't get an entry for the Gold Cup because we didn't find out whether he stays three miles, let alone further. He'll probably only get a Ryanair entry now.

"We're certainly not writing off the Gold Cup in future, we just didn't learn enough at Kempton to go down that route this season."

Jefferson has entered last season's Ascot Chase winner at Kempton this weekend, but has never made any secret of the fact her stable star prefers plenty of give in the ground and conditions will have to be suitable for Waiting Patiently to line up.

She said: "The Kempton race on Saturday is a suitable option. We know we'd have a Grade 1 penalty but it's the right trip. It was worth an entry in case the forecast was wrong and we do actually get some rain."

Watch Waiting Patiently win the Ascot Chase

The ground at Kempton on Monday was described as good, and a note on the racingadmin website added that "it may end up on the faster side to walk by Saturday in the absence of any rain".

Jefferson added of her stable star: "He was absolutely fine after Boxing Day. I haven't had a moment's worry with him, he came home, ate up and was moving around.

"His legs are fine, his back is fine – we were worried because it was one of those falls that can cause an injury, but thankfully we've avoided that."

Charbel, Mister Whitaker and Black Corton are also among the 12-strong entries for the Kempton race, while the market for the Unibet Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle on the same card is headed by the Paul Nicholls-trained Darling Maltaix at around 6-1.