Jim Crowley reaping the rewards of being champion as rides soar

Champion jockey Jim Crowley had almost 100 more rides in the second quarter of 2017 than he did in the same period of 2016, according to data extracted by the Racing Post.

The impact that becoming champion for the first time last season has had on the jockey's career is laid bare by the statistics, with Crowley having ridden 361 horses between April and June this year, compared to only 264 in the corresponding period last year.

Crowley made a huge push to see off Silvestre de Sousa and claim the crown last autumn but insisted he is making no such special effort at the moment to make it back-to-back title wins. However, he acknowledged that his fortunes have improved since last year.