JIM’S READY TO RAMBLER
in front jumping the Canal Turn and then he was kind of running out of petrol.
“I had a bit of a problem with a loose horse as well. In hindsight if I didn’t have the loose horse, I’d have probably kicked stronger for home from like two out because he was a confirmed front runner and then I would have probably ended up giving Dicky Johnson a lead for longer (on What’s Up Boys, who finished second) and then he would have beat me.”
“The Kerry native won an Irish Grand National the following year on another horse that he had never ridden before, with Timbera triumphing at Fairyhouse for the late Dessie Hughes.
Funny
“I won the Irish Grand National and it was the same that I was riding a horse for the first time and that was actually a very funny story,” said Culloty.
“Norman Williamson said he’s not good enough to win, but he’ll give you a good ride, he’s a brilliant leaper, the whole lot. I’m sitting in the weighing room beforehand and they were showing the replay of the couple of previous Irish Nationals and here’s Timbera doing an absolute somersault at the second last. I looked at Norman and I said ‘I thought you said he was a good jumper’.
Running
“So Bindaree was a confirmed front runner, I didn’t make the running on him and he won, and Timbera was a confirmed hold-up horse and he ended up making the running and winning as well.”
On this year’s National, Culloty believes Corach Rambler could be hard to beat as he aims to become just the eighth horse to win the race more than once.
“He ran a blinder in the Gold Cup, he’s a class horse,” said Culloty of the Lucinda Russelltrained runner. “She is a very good trainer. I think he’s had enough time between Cheltenham and Aintree. I would think he has a favourite’s chance.”
Jim Culloty was speaking on behalf of NewBettingSites.uk.
HISTORY BID: Gina Andrews is hoping to become the first female amateur jockey to win the Grand National