Culloty lodges appeal to Jockey Club

Jim Culloty has lodged an appeal to the Jockey Club in the hope of being able to partner Best Mate in the Pertemps King George VI Chase on St Stephen's Day.

He is set to miss the ride on the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup winner after being stood down on December 26, 27 and 28 by the Doncaster stewards for not riding out Beechwood for third place in the ‘Seasons Greetings’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.

Beechwood was beaten a short head for third place by Tom Fruit after being caught close home.

However, Culloty has made up his mind to go to Portman Square after viewing a film of the race several times.

“Really it’s my own decision,” he said.

He does though face the prospect of a longer ban as it later transpired that he should have received seven days because of a mistake on the part of the Jockey Club officials at the course.

“That’s obviously a gamble I’ve got to take in view of Boxing Day,” he added.

Culloty missed the King George through a broken right forearm last year when Best Mate, ridden by Tony McCoy, finished second to Florida Pearl but he was back in the saddle on the Henrietta Knight-trained seven-year-old at Cheltenham in March.

His case, and that of Andrew Thornton over his 10-day Cheltenham ban, is likely to be heard before the end of the week.

“It would be our aim to deal with them on either Thursday or Friday this week but no date has yet been confirmed,” said Jockey Club spokesman John Maxse.