National return is high on the agenda

NEXT year’s Aintree Grand National is on the agenda for Seeyouatmidnight.

The Scottish horse, trained in the borders by Sandy Thomson, had every chance until an interrupted preparation caught up with him from the third-last fence and he weakened to finish 11th of the 12 finishers in Saturday’s race.

The race was won by Tiger Roll with Davy Russell on board.

Seeyouatmidnight was found to be lame on his left-fore afterwards but Sandy reports he is sound again.

“He’s a bit weary,” said the Berwickshire handler.

“He came off the lorry fine and he’s sound enough.

“The interrupted preparation and the ground probably caught up with him a wee bit.

“Jockey Brian Hughes said what a spin he gave him. He jumped from fence to fence.

“He missed the one before Becher’s second time and, from the third last, he was just running out of oxygen.”

Thomson has ruled out Seeyouatmidnight making a quick reappearance in the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr this Saturday.

“He won’t be going to Ayr, obviously. We’ll just get through this week,” he said.

“We’ll speak to the owners once we’ve had a day or two to digest it. The owners definitely want to go back to the Aintree Grand National with him next year.”

Blaklion will also bypass the Scottish National after he was brought down at the first fence.

However, trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has not dismissed the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown on April 28.

“He was brought down at the first and that wasn’t good,” said the handler.

“He was caught straight after the incident and he’s fine now. He may go to Sandown at the end of the month.”

Seeyouatmidnight is being aimed at next year’s Grand National after his fine run in this year’s event.