SEEYOUATMIDNIGHT

CheltenhamFestival.jpg A scene at Celtenham Festival. PICTURE / JPFESTIVAL.COM

It is the Cheltenham Festival - the highlight of both the British and Irish steeple-chasing and hurdling calendar - and it is held during March each year. For four exhilarating days thousands pour into the elegant town of Cheltenham - or Cheltenham Spa - in Gloucestershire on the edge of the scenic Cotswold area of England to watch the champions of the jumping world compete across a series of races that culminate with the Gold Cup on the fourth day of the festival.
This year it began on Tuesday, March 15 with Champions Day, then the Wednesday is Ladies Day, followed by St Patrick's Thursday and Friday 18 is Gold Cup Day. By the end of the festival more than £4m in prize money will have been won and an attendance at the track of 250,000 would have seen the events and invested on their favourites. Win or lose, it is a festival for everyone. Thousands of Irish will come across from the Green isle, French enthusiasts will congregate there to support their champions, and the English will celebrate a festival that is the highlight of the season. Entry on to the track is not cheap - you can pay anywhere from £20 to £720 each day, depending on how you wish to enjoy the day, whether it be close to the bookies at the edge of the track or hob-nobbing with the 'rich and famous' in the suites high in the stands. The Guinness bars will be packed as will the champagne bars - the fish and chips and hog roasts will be in demand as will the lobster and filet mignon. Whatever you want to pay for is available throughout the four days of the festival.
Fame is there for those in the horse-racing world - whether it be an owner such as the Queen Mother who had horses compete there - whether it be a trainer such as Paul Nicholls or Willie Mullins who have been dominant over the years - whether it be an outstanding jockey such as A P McCoy or Ruby Walsh - or whether it be a horse whose name will shine throughout the ages such as Arkle, L'Escargot, Desert Orchid or Best Mate - it is a magical time for the industry.
And this year, hidden amongst all the fame and glory, is a horse called Seeyouatmidnight - an eight year old bay gelding who is trained by self-confessed 'little-man' trainer Sandy Thomson. But is he worried about facing the big boys of racing? Not likely!
For Sandy faced the All Blacks, Australia and France in his rugby-playing days and played against Scottish full-back Andy Irvine who was his hero in his young days. Says Sandy, "You had to treat then with respect for what they did, but you just had to get stuck into it - so I have respect for the high profile trainers but that doesn't mean I'm going to shy away from them."
Seeyouatmidnight is pre-entered in three races with the RSA Chase being the one he is most likely to attempt. He has had success in the steeplechases at Kelso and Cheltenham and any rain on race day will see him being extremely competitive.
Coming south from Scotland, Sandy is looking for a change in Scottish luck after their disappointing Six Nations rugby tournament.
And he is certainly coming into the lions den where the English and Irish horses have been dominant over the years. But Midnight has form, Sandy has the attitude, and the 'big boys' may still be licking their wounds at midnight!