Ripp-roaring: Turner delight as she lands Victoria Cup for Elsworth

Hayley Turner was back in the big time as she pulled off a daring hold-up ride with gusto to scoop the £65,000 first prize aboard Ripp Orf in the totescoop6 Victoria Cup at Ascot.

Buried in the 27-runner pack, Turner used all her guile to pick a safe passage to the front under a mainly hands-and-heels ride, in the process delivering a timely reminder of her undoubted skill in the saddle.

Beaming as she returned to a hero’s welcome in the winner’s enclosure, Turner was under no illusion how significant winning a race of this magnitude was as she continues to rebuild her career in Britain.

“Oh my god! Can you believe what’s just happened?” said the stunned rider. “David Elsworth and the lads gave me so much confidence and told me to ride him how I wanted, and riding him with confidence certainly helped.

“Josephine Gordon won this race last year and I was up there on the podium with the ITV crew, who are such a good laugh, but it was better being on the horse.”

Hayley Turner: thumbs up and all smiles after a recording a big-race winCredit: Alan Crowhurst

It was only a second winner in Britain this year for Turner, who resumed her career as a full-time jockey in March, having been banned for three months last December because of bets she placed on an account she had opened after she retired from riding in 2015. At the time she still held a professional licence.

She added: “It’s been tough but Michael Bell, Tom Dascombe and Marcus Tregoning – the old boys who used to help me – have given me a leg up and and I appreciate it. Hopefully I’m not letting them down.

"It’s a massive win and good for my bank account as well! I’m going to make sure I keep enjoying it this time because I don’t want to have to retire again.”

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