Dream Ahead backed to give Turner Group 1 win

DREAM AHEAD was closing in on second-favouritism for Saturday's Darley July Cup after attracting support throughout Friday to give Hayley Turner an historicfirst Group 1 win.

It is 14 years since Alex Greaves became the only female jockey to ride a Group 1 winner in Britain, when Ya Malak dead-heated in the Nunthorpe Stakes, and punters were putting their faith in Turner repeating those exploits at Newmarket.

Having been available to back at 12-1 on Friday morning, the David Simcock-trained three-year-old was as short as 7-1 by late afternoon. 

William Buick has partnered dual Group 1 winner Dream Ahead on each of his five starts but as he is required to ride Beachfire for his boss John Gosden in the John Smith's Cup at York, Simcock has been forced to look elsewhere and he has no worries about Turner being up to the job.

"I'm happy, the owner is delighted and if the horse is good enough Hayley will be good enough," he told At The Races. "Everyone has to have a Group 1 winner somewhere, so I hope Hayley can do it tomorrow."

Dream Ahead has been seen to his best when there has been cut in the ground but Simcock was not too worried about the prospect of good ground.

"It would be nice if we got some more rain but as long as the ground doesn't dry out too much it'll be fine," said the trainer. "I hope it's a good sign that I'm excited about running him."