Mulholland leads tributes to 'irreplaceable' Midnight Chase

Neil Mulholland has paid tribute to one of his previous stable stars, Midnight Chase, who has died aged 17 after a short illness.

The trainer had only just spoken glowingly of the 12-time winner in RP Sunday's 'My Favourite Horse' feature in in the Racing Post, calling him "a special horse to a trainer who was just starting out".

Midnight Chase's career spanned six seasons from April 2007, when he was ridden to victory by Mulholland on debut, and at his peak he was rated 163.

He will be best remembered for his exploits at Cheltenham, where he won five races, including the Grade 2 Argento Chase – now Cotswold Chase – in 2012 and the Grade 3 Morson Group Handicap Chase in 2010.

Watch Midnight Chase win the Argento Chase

Reflecting on his association with the horse on Monday, Mulholland said: "It's very sad news. He was a great horse to us and the highest-rated horse we have trained.

"He did me great favours early on in my training career with all those wins at Cheltenham."

Midnight Chase, initially trained by Paul Keane for Avon Thoroughbreds, made his final appearance at Cheltenham in April 2013 and enjoyed a six-year retirement with Lady Clarke, who had long since taken over ownership.

Mulholland added: "He's been missed for many years in the yard because he's been very hard to replace and he'll be missed even more now."

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