Sandy Thomson full of praise as 'absolute star' Seeyouatmidnight is retired

Trainer Sandy Thomson has paid tribute to his stable star Seeyouatmidnight, who has been retired due to injury.

A MRI scan revealed the ten-year-old, last seen finishing 11th in the Grand National, had suffered career-ending suspensory ligament damage.

Among Seeyouatmidnight's career highlights were his Grade 2 victories in the 2014 Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock and the 2016 Dipper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham.

Thomson said: "He has been absolute star for us. He has given us so many great days and so many thrills.

From the Vaults: Scotland expects - Seeyouatmidnight the big Borders hope for Grand National glory

"It's such a shame he has been so fragile. We will never see how good he could have been. We examined him thoroughly, had an MRI scan sent to America and we were told the horse is very unlikely to stand training to get him back to the level you would want to.

"He is the horse that put us on the map. We have nice horses in the yard today because of him and what he did. He will always be very, very special to us."

Seeyouatmidnight (front) beat Bristol De Mai by 12 lengths in the Colin Parker Memorial Chase at CarlisleCredit: John Grossick

Seeyouatmidnight won seven races from 17 starts and Thomson said: "It was a shame as we got him to a Stayers' Hurdle and a Grand National with only one prep run. In both of those races he was right there at the final few obstacles.

"He gave us the biggest thrill when he was right there with every chance at the Canal Turn at Aintree. But it just wasn't to be that day."

The Berwickshire-based trainer added: "When we look back his first win for us at Hexham [at odds of 66-1] was special, as was when he broke the track record next time at Musselburgh. To win a Grade 2 at Cheltenham was out of this world. There were so many special memories."

Watch Seeyouatmidnight win the Dipper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham

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