Best Mate's jockey quits saddle

Jim Culloty, the man who partnered Best Mate to three successive Cheltenham Gold Cup triumphs, has announced his retirement from the saddle.

The Irishman told Teletext that health reasons were behind his decision to call time on a career which also saw him land the 2002 Martell Grand National on Bindaree.

“I have been thinking about it for some time, basically for health reasons,” he said.

“Whenever I have had a fall lately I have been left feeling dazed, which I didn’t in the old days. As much as I love riding, I have to put my health before my career.”