Seeyouatmidnight could make surprise return

Keith Hamer
January 17, 2020 6:00 pm

Hunter chases may yet beckon for smart stayer.

Seeyouatmidnight could make a surprise return from retirement and go hunter chasing, his trainer Sandy Thomson has revealed.

The Berwickshire handler has pencilled in Cheltenham Trials Weekend at Musselburgh early next month for the 12-year-old, who has not raced since completing the course in 11th place behind Tiger Roll in the Grand National at Aintree in April 2018.

Seeyouatmidnight, whose victories included the Rendlesham Hurdle and the Dipper Chase, was treated for a suspensory ligament damage, with Thomson deciding to call time on the horse’s career that December.

The Midnight Legend gelding remained at Thomson’s stable and has been leading the string on the gallops.

Thomson has upped his training and Seeyouatmidnight has responded to such an extent that a return to the track is on the cards, with the ultimate dream being the Foxhunter Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

“We said he was retired, but he’s very well. I’ve spoken to the Thompsons (David and Patricia, owners) and he’s had his hunter certificate signed,” Thomson told Racing TV.

“He’s been leading the horses on the gallops. We’ve just stepped it up since Christmas and everything is going well.

“The issue is he continued to do his suspensory ligament. It’s just done in two or three places, so it’s not as elastic as you would want it to be.

“It’s a very easy thing to see and notice. I’ve seen the leg often enough over the years, so I’ve a fair idea when it’s not right. He tends to not move very well when it’s beginning to bother him.

“He’s very happy and he’s very well. It would be great to get him back.”

He added: “We’ll take it race by race, but obviously I’ve had a little look. It would be lovely to take him to Kelso for the hunter chase there which would qualify him for Cheltenham, and then who knows?”