Cheltenham contender expects to face demanding test at Wetherby

The eight-year-old was beaten on his debut over fences at Carlisle in November, but righted that wrong at Kelso next time.

He then proved his class with a brilliant display at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day and Thomson hopes to see his charge line up at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Seeyouatmidnight is one of the North’s few genuine contenders and one of the favourites for the RSA Chase – but he must first come through what could be a demanding test in West Yorkshire this weekend.

Thomson commented: “I just hope the ground doesn’t get too testing, that would be a bit of a concern.”

Seeyouatmidnight is one of 12 possible runners in the extended three-mile Grade Two.

Colin Tizzard’s Native River is the highest-rated entrant after finishing third in the Feltham Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day while Yorkshire hopes rest with Brian Ellison’s Definitly Red and Run Ructions Run from the yard of Tim Easterby.

Sheffield-born jockey Joe Colliver has hailed the improved performance of Micky Hammond’s stable star Just Cameron at Doncaster on Saturday.

Second to Arkle Trophy winner Un De Sceaux at last season’s Punchestown Festival, Just Cameron was a disappointing sixth on his seasonal reappearance in Sandown’s Tingle Creek Chase before finishing second to Dandridge on Town Moor.

Colliver could not contain his delight and said Just Cameron appeared to be back in the form that he showed last year..

Evan Williams is to give Buywise an entry in the Crabbie’s Grand National at Aintree after the horse surprised his trainer by showing plenty of stamina in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster.

The nine-year-old put in his best work at the end of the three-mile handicap to finish third, just three and three-quarter lengths behind Ziga Boy.

A winner of a novice hurdle over two-and-three-quarter miles at Ffos Las last February, Buywise had been in the frame in both the Paddy Power and Caspian Caviar Gold Cups over around two and a half miles in his last two races.

Entries for the National close today and are out tomorrow.

“He ran a great race (at Doncaster) and I was wrong – the horse did stay and stayed well,” said Williams. “I’m glad to be wrong because he’ll be entered for the Grand National. I might have been running him over the wrong trip all his life, it looks like all he does is stay.”