A National treasure

IRISH jockey Jim Culloty last night spoke of his disbelief after completing a remarkable Grand National and Gold Cup double.

Bindaree, a chance ride for Culloty, fought back in the final stages of the famous steeplechase to regain the lead and win by one- and-three-quarter lengths. It came in at 20-1.

Killarney-born Culloty, 28, was celebrating his second big success in less than a month after capturing the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Best Mate.

He said: "It's unbelievable. I'd like to thank trainer Mark Pitman who released me from the ride on Browjoshy.

"After winning the Gold Cup, I never in my wildest dreams thought I would win the National. I'm absolutely thrilled."

The Irishman was concerned by the presence of an earlier faller as they approached the final fence.

"Because of a loose horse I couldn't kick on in front and as a result I got cut for a bit of speed.

"The second horse came by us and for a split second I though we were beat.

"But I then got him on the rails he was as brave as they come," he said.

He was only booked to ride the eight-year-old gelding last week after original jockey Jamie Goldstein broke his leg in a fall on Wednesday.

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