Waiting Patiently does the business at Carlisle for Malcolm Jefferson

Waiting Patiently maintained his 100 per cent record over fences with a smooth victory in the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase at Carlisle.

The Malcolm Jefferson-trained six-year-old looked an exciting prospect as he shrugged off a 288-day absence to take this four-runner Listed contest in some style.

Brian Hughes was happy to sit Waiting Patiently off a honest pace shared by I Just Know and Belami Des Pictons.

Taking closer order from four out, the 4-5 favourite led at the final fence and pulled away without too much effort to score by two and a half lengths from Belami Des Pictons.

Ruth Jefferson, the North Yorkshire trainer's daughter, told Press Association Sport: "The first two drew a long way clear and he jumped quite well. He maybe made one or two little mistakes, but he'll come on for the run.

"He's got an entry in the BetVictor (Gold Cup at Cheltenham, November 18) but I wouldn't say he was definitely going there or not as it's only two weeks away.

"We could always look for a race in December and see after that. I'm pleased as he picked up where he left off last season, which is what we were hoping for."

Hughes completed a double on Cuckoo's Calling (7-4 favourite), for trainer James Bethell, in the bumper.

Harry The Viking (25-1) dug deep to withstand the strong challenge of Topper Thornton in the Cumberland Handicap Chase.

Sandy Thomson's 12-year-old was never far off the pace on his first race for 191 days and would simply not give in.

Another veteran to show he is no back number was Desert Cry, who made a successful seasonal debut when obliging at 33-1 in the Bet At racinguk.com Handicap Hurdle.

Held up for most of the two-and-a-half-mile contest by Will Kennedy, the Donald McCain 11-year-old was produced to lead between the last two flights and won by a diminishing three-quarters of a length from Tomngerry.

After showing promise on his first run over fences at Fontwell, the Mick Channon-trained Mister Whitaker (7-1) made no mistake second time as he came through nicely to give Adrian Heskin a winner on his first ride at the track in the Racing UK Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.