Patiently could now target Tingle Creek Waiting Patiently could attempt to take advantage of Altior's absence in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on December 9. Malcolm Jefferson's unbeaten chaser has several options, but the defection of last year's Arkle winner has opened up the possibility of him running in the two-mile Grade One. The John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase and the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham are other possibilities but if the ground is soft at Sandown next month, he could make the line-up. "He was always going to get the entry but he's very ground-dependent," said Jefferson's daughter and assistant, Ruth. "Obviously, because of the news about Altior, there will be a few more targeting the race now. "From our point of view, we'll just have to wait and see what the ground does. "The race was in our minds anyway, but more so now. We just need the ground to come right." Current second favourite for the Tingle Creek is Politologue, winner of the Haldon Gold Cup on his reappearance but behind Waiting Patiently in a Grade Two at Haydock last season. Jefferson added: "We may have just outstayed Politologue that day as it was over two and a half miles. Obviously, neither of them are slow."
