Crowley stretches lead to six following double

A low-key Monday card could prove a pivotal point in the engrossing Stobart jockeys' title duel between Jim Crowley and Silvestre de Sousa after the challenger stretched his lead over the reigning champion to six with a double.

Crowley stepped in for a winning ride on Zlatan after losing his booked mount in the mile handicap and doubled up with favourite Spring Jig in the two-year-old maiden.

It was a hammer blow to De Sousa, who gave up his ride in the last after feeling unwell following a luckless run on Precious Plum in a division of the nursery.