Hayley Turner is the toast of HQ

Hayley Turner believes the fixture congestion on a Saturday was instrumental in giving her the opportunity to become the first British female jockey to win a Group 1 race outright

The 28-year-old former joint-champion apprentice was only third choice to be offered the ride on Dream Ahead in the Darley July Cup because there was so much racing at home and abroad. And she only got the leg up for the first time on David Simcock's stable star in the parade ring ahead of Newmarket's summer showpiece.

But she made the made the most of the opportunity on a mount that both William Buick and Jamie Spencer had to turn down because of other commitments. Having already been the first woman to reach 100 winners in a calendar year, her marginal improvement on Alex Greaves' dead-heat in the 1997 Nunthorpe Stakes confirmed her status on the top table.

"It was a fantastic day. Full credit to the Simcock team. I was lucky enough to pick up the ride and I hadn't actually sat on the horse before," said Turner. "I'm thrilled I can tick it off the list now. I'm going to give my agent a ring now and tell him a Classic win is our next mission!

"I think I get a lot more publicity because I'm a girl. The lads are all doing similar things, but I'm thrilled about it all.

"The trainers have not been happy about the fixtures yesterday but it played into my hands a little but because there are only so many jockeys about."

Turner was delighted that Greaves, wife of North Yorkshire trainer Dandy Nicholls, was at Newmarket to share in the moment. "It was so nice. Alex came over and gave me a hug. She was so genuinely thrilled for me and it was really nice she was there," she added.

At Ayr today, Shamdarley should have a good chance in the Play Casino At victorchandler.com Handicap if the course can avoid the worst of the rain.

The three-year-old has been dropped 1lb following a slightly lacklustre effort when only fourth at this track last time out. However, the soft ground that day did not appear to suit Michael Dodds' charge and could well be a touch better than his seven-length fourth suggests.

Although still some way higher than the mark of 69 he won off at Doncaster in May, Shamdarley is capable enough off his current rating but just needs the ground in his favour. Light The City can make it a hat-trick in the Bet Now At victorchandler.com Apprentice Handicap. The four-year-old struck at Catterick at the end of last month before following up with victory at Southwell last week. Ruth Carr's runner defied a 6lb penalty there to win by two lengths and while he must shoulder another 6lb, it would be folly to oppose such an in-form runner.

Ayr

2.00 Bapak Pintar

2.30 Eternal Instinct

3.00 Arriva

La Diva (nap)

3.30 Hansomis

4.00 Shunkawakhan

4.30 Shamdarley

5.00 Plattsburgh

5.30 Light The City

Windsor

6.10 Pose

6.40 School Fees

7.10 County Hotel

7.40 Spunky

8.10 Hurricane Lady

8.40 Lady Gabrielle

Wolverhampton

6.20 Lois Lane

6.50 Liquid Sunshine

7.20 Neighbourhood

7.50 Lytham

8.20 Al Burkaan

8.50 Spanish Plume

9.20 Lujano

Ffos Las

2.20 Starlight Walk

2.50 Liberal Lady

3.20 Miss Elegance

3.50 Naledi

4.20 Charmeur

4.50 Ice Nelly

5.20 Joyful Sound

Double

Arriva La Diva

3:00 Ayr

Shamdarley

4:30 Ayr