Culloty back with a winner

Jim Culloty partnered his first winner since returning from a lay-off with a broken arm when Juralan got the better of Red Guard by a neck for the Corscombe Novices` Chase at Wincanton today.

The jockey was understandably all smiles afterwards and beamed: 'This horse was actually my last success before I broke my arm at Taunton six weeks ago and it feels really good to get back in the winning groove again.'

Juralan`s trainer Henrietta Knight had news of her stable stars, Lord Noelie and Best Mate, although plans for both remain fluid.

She said: 'Lord Noelie seems on course for the Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham at the end of this month.

'Best Mate is a possible for the Aon Chase at Newbury next month, although my assistant Brigitte Nicholls had thought about the John Bull Chase here a week on Saturday.

'But I think it might come a bit soon for him following his King George run on Boxing Day.'

Paul Flynn faces a spell on the sidelines after sustaining cracked ribs following a first-fence fall from Jean Guy in the race.

Kim Bailey saddled his 18th winner of the term after Top Buck held off the persistent challenge of Lucky Bay by half a length under Robert Thornton in the first division of the Blackmore Vale `National Hunt` Novices` Hurdle.

Timmy Murphy was found guilty of using his whip with excessive force on pulled-up Storm Clipper and was banned for one day (Jan 19th).

The suspension means he misses big meetings at Kempton and Wincanton.

However, Murphy had better fortune when steering Moving Earth to a comfortable victory in the Sponsor At Wincanton Handicap Chase for his boss Paul Nicholls who is currently holidaying in Barbados.