Turner lands first Group 1 win on Dream Ahead

Report: Newmarket, Saturday

Darley July Cup (Group 1) 6f, 3yo+

DREAM AHEAD, rated alongside the brilliant Frankel as the best two-year-old last year, bounced back to form with a bang to give jockey Hayley Turner her biggest success in the Group 1 Darley July Cup.

Trained by David Simcock, the son of Diktat was fifth on his seasonal reappearance over 1m in the St James's Palace Stakes last month but stormed home under the cool Turner, beating Bated Breath with Hitchens in third.

Turner, Simcock's third-choice rider forDream Ahead, said: "I haven't sat on the horse before so I cannot take much credit.

"Steve Drowne's horse [Bated Breath] started hanging right and caused a bit of interference but it's always the case that when you're on a horse who travels so well it gets you out of trouble.

"I'm delighted - I'm absolutely delighted about it."

Turner, who rode 100 winners in 2008, is only the second female rider to have won a British Group 1- joining Alex Greaves, whose success came aboard Ya Malak when he deadheated with Coastal Bluff in the Nunthorpe Stakes in 1997.

Turner only came in for the ride because Dream Ahead's regular rider William Buick was in action at York and Jamie Spencer - Simcock's second choice - in the United States. However, Turner and Dream Ahead took little time in getting to know one another.

The 7-1 winner travelled smoothly for his jockey and quickened brilliantly to provide a reminder of his ability, which helped him land the Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes - both Group 1 races - last year.

He then suffered his first reverse when fifth behind Frankel in the Dewhurst Stakes in October but ended the season alongside the Sir Henry Cecil-trained superstar on an official rating of 128.

Fast conditions prevented him from competing in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and his belated return ended with him finishing five and three-quarter lengths behind Frankel at Royal Ascot. But, dropped in trip, Dream Ahead proved he remains a high-class colt.

"It's fantastic," Simcock beamed. "I'm relieved and excited and really pleased for the horse.

"I'm pleased he enhanced his reputation from last year. It's all about the horse.

"I was surprised how good the ground was on Friday and if it was safe we said we'd run.

"It was very uncomplicated and he's got a great turn of foot."

On booking Turner, Simcock added: "Hayley was very confident and more than capable. She's got a good strike-rate for me and has ridden winners for Khalifa [Dasmal, owner]."

Ante-post favourite Delegator was fifth, while Aussie sprinter Star Witness - an on-the-day mover to 4-1 favourite - was tenth on his final start.