Sandy Thomson boosted by the return of stable stars after long absences

Sandy Thomson welcomes back two of the best horses he has trained from long absences on Saturday with Seeyouatmidnight and Shades Of Midnight returning to action.

Smart chaser Seeyouatmidnight has been brought out of retirement and makes his first start since finishing 11th behind Tiger Roll in the 2018 Grand National in the Listed William Hill-sponsored Premier Chase at Kelso (3.22).

The dual Grade 2 winner was retired at the end of 2018 due to suspensory ligament damage, but has been building up to a comeback since Christmas.

"It's great to have Seeyouatmidnight back," said Thomson, who also runs Dimple in the Premier Chase. "The plan was to go hunter chasing as life would have been a lot easier, but it's not worked out. I wish the ground was better and it wasn't as competitive a race, but he's fit and we'll take it one race at a time."

While Seeyouatmidnight is back after 686 days off, stablemate Shades Of Midnight returns in the 888Sport Handicap Hurdle at Doncaster (1.50) after 378 days, having been sidelined by a leg injury.

Last seen winning the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock, Shades Of Midnight is likely to need the run.

"We're very happy with him, but it's not about tomorrow," said Thomson. "He has run okay first time up before, but he has always been a stuffy horse and the weather in the last few days hasn't helped him. We'll see how he goes but the plan is for him to go for the valuable handicap hurdle at Kelso on March 21."

Thomson's Greenlaw stable is set to receive another boost with the arrival next week of the enigmatic Yorkhill, the three-time Grade 1 winner including in the 2017 JLT Novices' Chase.

Formerly trained by Willie Mullins, Yorkhill has switched to owner Dave Armstrong, a friend of former owner Graham Wylie, since pulling up at Leopardstown at the start of the month.

Yorkhill: the Grade 1 winner is heading to Sandy ThomsonCredit: Caroline Norris

"To get a horse like him is absolutely brilliant and we're really looking forward to him coming," added Thomson. "We've built our reputation by getting the likes of Neptune Equester, Harry The Viking and Shades Of Midnight back to where they were and hopefully we can compete at the top level with him.

"I think Aintree will come too quick so we'll look to Ayr, where he'll probably run in the Listed Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase."

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