 Culloty and Best Mate have won the last three Gold Cups |
Jockey Jim Culloty is set to miss Best Mate's first race of the season after breaking a bone in his thumb in a fall. The Irish jockey, who has ridden the horse to three wins in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, faces several weeks out.
Culloty, who had a plate inserted in his hand during an operation, hopes to return just before Christmas.
Trainer Henrietta Knight will need to find a jockey for her stable star should he run in the William Hill Chase at Exeter on 19 November.
Culloty sustained the injury when falling from Only Vintage at the fourth flight in a novices' hurdle at the same course on Tuesday.
His agent Chris Broad said: "He's going to be out for a few weeks. It's a very big blow.
"He will miss the ride on Best Mate if he runs at Exeter later this month - he won't be back for that.
"The main thing now is to get him back fit for the big Christmas meetings."
The only other rider to have partnered Best Mate in his 19 career outings is Tony McCoy.
Champion jockey McCoy finished second on him to Florida Pearl in the 2001 King George VI Chase before going one better the following year when they beat Marlborough.
MMIX
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