JOCKEY Raul da Silva, who is based at Whatcombe, near Wantage, is reflecting on a 21-day ban for violent conduct after striking Jim Crowley in the face during a weighing-room bust-up at Goodwood.

Tempers flared following the opening seven-furlong handicap, in which the Brazilian-born rider finished last aboard the Paul Cole-trained Medieval.

It is understood several jockeys complained to Da Silva about his riding, and in the incident which followed Crowley suffered a cut and swollen lip that needed stitches.

Speaking to the Racing Post, Da Silva claimed Crowley “came up to me and was aggressive”.

But this has been categorically denied by the former champion jockey, who says he was “the victim of an unprovoked attack from behind with what felt like a piece of lead”.

He added: “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.”

Da Silva has ridden six winners this season with his latest success coming on 40-1 outsider Over The Guns for Whatcombe trainer Cole at Leicester earlier in the week.

His ban runs from June 24 to July 14.

Meanwhile, Eve Johnson Houghton, who trains at Blewbury, near Didcot, is looking forward to giving Accidental Agent another crack at the big guns in the Queen Anne Stakes, which opens Royal Ascot next Tuesday.

She was thrilled by the four-year-old colt’s effort in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury when he outran his 66-1 odds to finish sixth as Rhododendron pipped Lightning Spear by a short head.

Now the son of Delegator is set to renew rivalry with that pair in the Group 1 contest, which carries prize-money of £600,000.

Johnson Houghton said of the 50-1 chance: “He is a big horse who takes a lot of getting fit and mentally preparing, so I think there is huge improvement.”

Jungle Inthebungle could represent West Ilsley trainer Mick Channon in either the Windsor Castle Stakes or the Norfolk Stakes at the meeting after emulating his sire, Bungle Inthejungle, by landing the Brian Yeardley Two Year Old Trophy Conditions Stakes at Beverley.

The speedy colt’s triumph kick-started a 345-1 across-the-card treble for Channon with Charlie Bishop also piloting Hats Off To Larry to victory at the Yorkshire track, while David Egan was on board as Maksab scored at Newmarket.

Elsewhere, the whimsically-named Racehorse got off the mark for East Ilsley trainer Hughie Morrison with a head success at Wetherby under PJ McDonald.