Culloty to ride Just In Debt Ex-Irish-trained, Just In Debt will be partnered by Jim Culloty in Saturday’s Martell Cognac Grand National after the Kerry man had been left free for the ride following the defection of ante-post favourite, Timbera.The Irish National hero of 2003 had been as short as 8-1 for the Aintree showpiece but his trainer Dessie Hughes revealed that Timbera had a lung infection and had to be considered very doubtful for the four-and-a-half-mile marathon.However, Culloty, winner of the National on Bindaree in 2002 and who recently landed his third successive blue riband on Best Mate, has picked up the ride on the Martin Todhunter-trained Just In Debt. Formerly under the care of Pat Doyle, the eight-year-old is on the 10st 2Ib mark and is currently trading at a best-priced 66/1.His agent Chris Broad said: 'He was very much looking forward to riding the favourite, but you can´t have everything go your way all the time.'It´s disappointing, but even more so for Dessie Hughes and the owners of the horse. They´ve trained the horse for the race and have probably set out all year for it.'
