Cheltenham dream alive as Seeyouatmidnight returns from retirement

Smart chaser Seeyouatmidnight has been brought out of retirement, with connections dreaming of a crack at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Last seen in action finishing 11th behind Tiger Roll in the 2018 Grand National, the Sandy Thomson-trained 12-year-old is set to embark on a hunter chase campaign with the St James's Place Foxhunter Chase under consideration.

Seeyouatmidnight, who registered Grade 2 wins in the 2014 Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock and the 2016 Dipper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham, has been entered alongside last season's Foxhunter one-two Hazel Hill and Shantou Flyer in Saturday's bet365 Scottish Foxhunter at Musselburgh, but the race is likely to come too soon.

"He's not going to be quite ready for Saturday but he'll go to Kelso on February 13," said Thomson. "We'll take it one step at a time but the dream is Cheltenham and there is the possibility of running in a point-to-point to get qualified for the Foxhunter."

Seeyouatmidnight was retired at the end of 2018 due to suspensory ligament damage, but has been pleasing Thomson enough at home to make a surprise return.

"He's been cantering away since Christmas and has stood up to a bit more work," said the trainer.

Watch: Seeyouatmidnight finishes third in the 2016 Scottish Grand National

"The leg is absolutely fine and if the suspensory goes again it's not going to be life-threatening. I know the leg well enough to know quickly if something wasn't right."

Thomson is also looking forward to the return of Shades Of Midnight, who won the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock on his last start almost a year ago.

The Potassium Partnership-owned ten-year-old, winner of seven of his 28 starts and a half-length second to Paisley Park three starts ago at Haydock, has been off with a leg injury.

"He's back cantering away and hopefully he'll run at the beginning of March, with a view to going to Kelso later that month," said Thomson.

"He'll stay over hurdles this season but I'd be very happy to go back chasing in the future if the ground was wet enough."

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