Culloty 'gutted' at missing Best Mate ride

“Absolutely gutted” was how Jim Culloty described missing out on the plum ride on Best Mate in the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on St Stephen's Day for the second year running.

He has been ruled out of riding the hot favourite after an application for an adjournment of his appeal against a three-day ban was rejected by the Jockey Club and he subsequently withdrew it.