Thomson star ruled out until spring with injury

On the first anniversary of the win that really made his name, Seeyouatmidnight was revealed to be set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

Trainer Sandy Thomson's star beat subsequent RSA Chase winner Blaklion in the Dipper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham on New Year's Day 2016 and was spoken of as a possible Gold Cup contender after his successful reappearance in a two-runner intermediate chase at Carlisle in October.

But he has not raced since being pulled up in the Betfair Chase at Haydock, for which he started third favourite, and has now been ruled out of the festival.

"He has a wee problem and the plan is to try to get a race into him somewhere, hopefully at Aintree, and then go for the Scottish National again," said Thomson..

"He had a bruised foot but something else has come to light, he has got a wee strain somewhere, although it's nothing too serious.

"It's similar to what happened before the World Hurdle two years ago, he came back and had a run in the Rendlesham and then he ran a hell of a race at Cheltenham."

Seeyouatmidnight, who had been a general 50-1 shot for the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup, finished third in the Scottish Grand National as a novice last year, beaten only around three lengths.

He has done much to put his small Berwickshire yard on the map and reflecting on his latest setback Thomson said: "It's very frustrating but we've had a great year in 2016.

"I was counting up last night and we've had 20 winners from 99 runners and over £200,000 in prize-money. And we've got five horses rated 130-plus which, out of 20, isn't bad going."