News Silvestre de Sousa enjoys Friday night four-timer at Newmarket

Silvestre de Sousa enjoys Friday night four-timer at Newmarket

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Silvestre de Sousa dished out a timely reminder to his rivals in his search for a second Stobart Flat Jockeys Championship after riding a 149-1 four-timer at Newmarket.

Despite playing down his chances of retaining his title, the Brazillian-born jockey was at his brilliant best on the July Course as he extended his lead at the head of the table.

The reigning champion jockey's haul comes less than a week ahead of him starting an 18-day ban, six of which have been deferred, handed to him after being found guilty of his fifth whip offence in the past six months.

He said: "It's been a great night and it nice to have four winners on my local track. The winners have been coming in but they have been a bit slower.

"I don't think I should be odds-on for the title. For me it should be Ryan Moore (who is favourite), he would be my choice.

"There is also James Doyle, Andrea Atzeni and Oisin Murphy who are all riding winners.

"The ban doesn't help as it will slow me down but we will see what happens after I finish it.

"It would be nice to win it again as it would be another achievement but if I don't win it's not the end of the world."

After drawing a blank from two rides at Yarmouth earlier in the afternoon, de Sousa wasted no time in getting off the mark at Headquarters, steering the John Butler-trained Lord Reason (5-1) to victory in the Celebrating 350 Years Of Making History Handicap.

That tally was quickly doubled after Spiritual Lady (9-4) landed the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Fillies' Stakes on debut to set up a potential outing in next month's Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury.

Winning trainer Charlie McBride said: "She is a very nice filly and we've always liked her. She has done everything nicely at home and she is the most forward of our two-year-olds.

"We've got her in the Newbury race (Weatherbys Super Sprint) and she has only got 8st 1lb so we hope she gets in, but she needed to run today.

"We were hoping she would run well but we were not sure if she would act on the ground."

Regal Monarch (11-8 favourite) reigned supreme for trainer Mark Johnston when completing the third leg of de Sousa's haul after he made it three wins from five starts this term with a facile nine-length victory in the 32Red.com Handicap.

The popular rider rounded off his night with victory aboard the Mick Appleby-trained Lulu The Zulu (9-4) in the EBF Stallions Fillies' Conditions Stakes.

Sainted completed an across-the-card treble for trainer William Haggas when taking a step up in trip in her stride in the Goodwin Malatesta 10th Anniversary Handicap.

Although turned over at short odds on her reappearance at Leicester 13 days ago, the 11-4 shot was not to be denied on her first start over seven furlongs, cruising home by two and three quarter lengths in the hands of Ryan Moore.

Haggas said: "From what I could see she travelled into it well and Ryan seemed very happy with her. She enjoyed the conditions.

"I was hoping she would get the seven furlongs fine, which she did, and there is a strong chance she will be back at the July Festival for the seven-furlong fillies' handicap."