Seeyouatmidnight A Good Bet at 14/1

In the 3.00 at Sandown, the Veterans’ Chase, 14/1 EW to 6 places (Skybet) is a great price for a horse once ranked a Cheltenham Gold Cup hope by his trainer Sandy Thomson. Thomson’s is a small yard in the Scottish borders. He’s a quiet man who’d go unrecognised by most racing fans. But he’s a superb trainer. Witness the job he did with Yorkhill, who won for him last time at 66/1 under today’s jockey Ryan Mania.

Ryan could have had a few rides at Ayr today, I believe, and Thomson could also have sent Seeyouatmidnight on a relatively short trip there to run in the 3.15 (unless there’s something in the conditions I haven’t spotted). But he goes south to Sandown, his sole runner there and Mania’s only ride.

Since his glory days 4 years ago, Seeyouatmidnight has had just a handful of runs and long breaks due to training problems. But he won his final run of last season. He reappeared this season on Dec 2nd where he was pulled up at Haydock. In his first run last season, he was tailed off. He won next time out (15 days later, his final run of the season).

Thomson must know there are very few sound miles left in Seeyouatmidnight, and you can bet he’s putting him in where he believes he can get the best placing. Whether that is in the winners’ enclosure today, we shall, see but I’m more than happy to back Seeyouatmidnight EW to 6 places at 14s.

Brian Hughes, bar an accident, will clock up his 500th Ayr ride today. He’s the best on the northern tracks since Jonjo, and arguably better. His positioning and timing at the tracks he knows well, his reading of the ground and of how much horse is under him is getting close to uncanny. I’ll be having £1 on each of his today with a £1 acc.

Good luck and go easy on the punting

All the best.
Joe

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