De Sousa hits four at Epsom

News from Monday’s meeting at Epsom where title chasing jockey Silvestre de Sousa rode the first four winners.

Silvestre de Sousa turned up the heat on jockeys’ championship rival Jim Crowley as he hit a fabulous four-timer at Epsom.

The defending champion had seen Crowley take the lead in the Stobart-sponsored battle over the weekend, but hit back in spectacular fashion on the Surrey Downs.

Hurricane Rush, Ancient Astronaut, El Astronaute and Goodwood Zodiac were all beneficiaries as the Brazilian roared through the early stages of the card in tremendous style.

Although slowly away, the Charlie Hills-trained Hurricane Rush hit the target at the fourth time of asking when wearing down Firefright – ridden by Crowley – in the closing stages of the opening British Stallion Studs EBF Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

Having finished second on both his previous starts, the most recent over course and distance last month, the 11-4 shot picked up well to forge past the 6-5 favourite inside the final 100 yards and claim victory by half a length.

Travelling head lad John Burrows said: “The pace of the race suited him as he will stay a mile no problem.

“It was not the first time that he has been slowly away. When James McDonald rode him at Wolverhampton he was the same, but he is learning all the time.

“He is well capable, but he has just been a bit late maturing as he is a big horse.

“He will probably have a go at a Listed race later on, otherwise he will end up top weight in a nursery handicap.”

De Sousa kept up the good work as Ancient Astronaut provided him with a quickfire double in the Bunbury Handicap.

The gelded son of Kodiac from the yard of John Quinn was scoring for the first time since making a winning debut in May 2015.

Produced with a timely late charge in the …

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