JOCKEY Brian Hughes blew a kiss to the heavens as he urged 2/1 favourite Waiting Patiently to a memorable victory on an emotional day at Ascot on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

Tears were shed following the Betfair Ascot Chase as the winner came from the Jefferson yard, a day after trainer Malcolm’s funeral service had taken place at Malton in Yorkshire.

Waiting Patiently is now in the care of his daughter, Ruth, who had also saddled a winner at Kelso last Thursday.

Hughes said: “I’m delighted for Ruth. She has the horses in good form and things will carry on the same, she learned plenty from her dad.”

Winning owner Richard Collins added: “After the funeral this is quite emotional, but Malcolm would be very proud, and very proud of Ruth of course.

“Before he died, Malcolm said ‘this horse is a good horse’. What makes this horse special is that turn of foot.”

Waiting Patiently, remaining true to his name throughout, had to battle hard for his sixth successive win over fences after a strong challenge from 12-year-old Cue Card.

It was the veteran, ridden by Paddy Brennan, who led into the straight, but Hughes made his move approaching the last and kept the seven-year-old up to his work despite idling in front, allowing Cue Card to close to just over two lengths.

Northern-based Hughes, making a very rare visit to the Berkshire course, was completing a quick double, having won the previous race – the Ascot Spring Garden Show Handicap Hurdle – on Le Patriote (4/1) for trainer Dr Richard Newland, who had won this race twice previously.

And, to his delight, Hughes went on to complete a treble on the day aboard Buildmeupbuttercup (5/1) from Mick Channon’s West Ilsley yard in the Millgate Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.

Another jockey in great form is Bryony Frost, and she was again in the winner’s enclosure on Saturday with Cheltenham Festival-bound Black Corton (10/11fav) following an impressive performance in the Sodexo Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase.

Since teaming up together last July, the pair have suffered only one defeat – at Newbury in December – in eight starts.

Trainer Paul Nicholls said since then he has kept on winning and had “taken it to another level today”, adding: “He’s got stamina and he jumps and he just keeps improving.”

Point of Principle (12/1), ridden by Alan Johns and trained by Tim Vaughan, won the Ascot Schools Art Competition Novices’ Hurdle, by a nose from the 2/1 joint-favourite Dame De Compagnie trained by Nicky Henderson.

It was Vaughan’s first ever winner at the famous Berkshire track.

There was also a close finish to the racinguk.com/clubdays Handicap Hurdle qualifier with young James Bowen on Ballyheigue Bay (10/1) holding on by a neck from 33/1 shot Three Star General, ridden by Tom Scudamore.

The Listed Keltbray Swinley Chase went the way of Regal Encore (6/1), trained by Anthony Honeyball and ridden by Richie McLennon.

Ascot’s Jump season concludes on Sunday, March 25, when the racing will be complemented off-track by a wealth of family entertainment.