Waiting Patiently pounces at Haydock for Malcolm Jefferson

Waiting Patiently put up a solid performance to lower the colours of Politologue in a gripping race for the Star Sports-sponsored novice chase at Haydock.Something had to give as the two principals were both defending unbeaten records over fences.It could have gone either way, with the pair having the race to themselves in the straight.Politologue went on from early pacemaker Maximiser down the back straight and tried to jump his rivals into submission.However, Brian Hughes on Waiting Patiently (11-4) never let Politologue out of his sight and began his challenge from the fourth-last.Taking a narrow lead just before the final fence, Malcolm Jefferson's six-year-old proved just too strong for the 6-4 favourite to land the spoils by a length and a quarter.Waiting Patiently was quoted at 16-1 for the JLT Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.But Jefferson said: "He wouldn't go to Cheltenham unless it was soft."He'll also get an entry in the Arkle as I'm not sure if two miles is his better trip."Every trainer would love a Grade One (horse). I would love to think he could be (a Grade One horse)."Jefferson continued: "He's still improving and I'd like to think he's a bit better than a handicapper. "We came here confident as he's done everything right, but looking at that it I'm not sure if a strongly-run two miles might suit him better. "It wouldn't bothered me if he missed Cheltenham this year as he'll be even better next year. "He wouldn't run again before Cheltenham, I think we'll take a chance and hope it's soft."