Ryan Mania and Seeyouatmidnight set sights on the Scottish Grand National

Ryan Mania and Sandy Thomson have enjoyed many significant victories in their respective careers.
Top pair: Seeyouatmidnight and Ryan Mania in action at Aintree's Grand National meeting in April, 2014.Top pair: Seeyouatmidnight and Ryan Mania in action at Aintree's Grand National meeting in April, 2014.
Top pair: Seeyouatmidnight and Ryan Mania in action at Aintree's Grand National meeting in April, 2014.
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Exclusive - Grand National winner Ryan Mania comes out of retirement with a rene...

Yet few have been as satisfying as Seeyouatmidnight’s brave win in a veterans’ chase at Carlisle.

After all, this is the standard-bearer of Northern jump racing who had been effectively retired in the wake of the 2018 Grand National.

Going strong: Ryan Mania aboard Seeyouatmidnight in April 2014.Going strong: Ryan Mania aboard Seeyouatmidnight in April 2014.
Going strong: Ryan Mania aboard Seeyouatmidnight in April 2014.
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But the steeplechaser proved that time is still the greatest healer of all when making a low-key comeback at Kelso last month after 686 days on the sidelines.

The fact that he was then recording a fairytale success at Carlisle under Mania added to the poignancy of this win – he only returned to competitive action last October after a five-year lay-off.

For Seeyouatmidnight, acquired from Doncaster Sales, was the horse that the rider said he was going to miss “most of all” when he quit the sport in 2014 because of difficulties controlling his weight.

The personal bond extends beyond this fine front-running chaser, who recorded a number of notable successes, including a high-profile victory at Cheltenham, while Mania was away from the sport.

Ryan Mania was in action at Kelso as racing's coronavirus clampdown begins. He also partnered Duc De Grissay to victory.Ryan Mania was in action at Kelso as racing's coronavirus clampdown begins. He also partnered Duc De Grissay to victory.
Ryan Mania was in action at Kelso as racing's coronavirus clampdown begins. He also partnered Duc De Grissay to victory.
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His wife, Annie, is the daughter of Seeyouatmidnight’s proud owner Quona Thompson, whose aforementioned husband, Sandy, trains the horse at the family’s stables in the Scottish Borders.

After virtually making all at Carlisle, before repelling the pursuing My Old Gold on the long run-in, Mania posted on social media: “Very emotional win. Still can’t quite believe it.”

Coming from the jockey who won the 2013 Grand National on Auroras Encore for Yorkshire racing legends Sue and Harvey Smith, the words spoke volumes.

Now Mania – who first rode Seeyouatmidnight to victory at Hexham in 2013 – and Thomson harbour dreams of a tilt at next month’s Scottish Grand National at Ayr.

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“It’s hard to put into words,” the winning trainer told The Yorkshire Post. “We are just delighted that he’s come back and done what he’s done. The horse loves it. He knows he’s won. He’s spent a lot of time in his horse box and, as we speak, he’s delighted with life.”

Mania’s 20th winner of the season – Thomson’s 21st, a new personal best – came 90 minutes after The Ferry Master, initially placed second in a thrilling maiden hurdle, was awarded the race following a stewards inquiry.

But, more pertinently, Seeyouatmidnight’s win reaffirmed the stable’s ability to get the most out of veteran horses – Harry The Viking, another stalwart, was only retired last month at the age of 15.

With former Cheltenham Festival winner Yorkhill recently sent to the Thomson team from the yard of Ireland’s all-conquering champion trainer Willie Mullins, they are pleased to have headline horses to train alongside a bunch of younger hurdlers and chasers.

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Yet they will have to be very special to match Seeyouatmidnight who was, arguably, travelling best of all in the 2018 National – the first to be won by Tiger Roll – before fading late on.

It emerged later that he had suffered another suspensory ligament strain to his left fore with vets in Newmarket, and the USA, recommending retirement.

“The advice was that the horse would not stand training,” confirmed Thomson. “But, as we did some work with him, there was a small glimmer of hope – no more – and it was very ‘softly, softly’ with him. He just loves his racing and jumping, the leap at the second last won the race at Carlisle.

“To win with Ryan was special – he’s riding better than ever and the family were all there. It would be great to think we could make it to the Scottish National. We’ll see how we go but the horses are well and we have a great team of work riders which is key.”

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