Da Silva banned after fight

– Jim Crowley has alleged he was the victim of an unprovoked attack from Raul da Silva “with what felt like a piece of lead” at Goodwood on Sunday, a claim vigorously denied by his fellow jockey.

Da Silva was banned for 21 days, the maximum recommended sentence for violent conduct, following an altercation in the Goodwood changing room that left Crowley requiring stitches in a cut and swollen lip.

In a statement, Crowley said: "There was a minor disagreement over a race-riding incident with a number of jockeys not happy with Raul’s riding.

"After this I was the victim of an unprovoked attack from behind with what felt like a piece of lead, and it is disappointing that I have then been accused of being the aggressor.

"This is categorically untrue and it is notable that after a lengthy inquiry that heard from many witnesses, only one of us was suspended. I have no further comment to make and will leave the matter in the hands of the BHA."

On Sunday Da Silva claimed that after Race 1 Crowley had been aggressive in telling him he was a “danger on the track” and that he had been trying to defend himself from the 2016 champion jockey.

The Brazilian rider said the jockeys had sided with Crowley, "Because they're all his friends and he's the star.” –

London