Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap

SEVEN years ago Hayley Turner announced her retirement as a jockey and began working in the media. However, after a year’s break the lure of the saddle proved too hard to resist.

Yesterday she rode her third Royal Ascot winner - all of them coming since her return - this time aboard the Harry Eustace-trained Latin Lover who started at just 5/1 in this 27-runner handicap over five furlongs.

A winner at Kempton just nine days earlier, Latin Lover was always prominent but looked booked for just a minor placing when Peggy Sioux bounded clear under Josephine Gordon a furlong out. But it all changed in the closing stages and Latin Lover got to the front to beat Nymphadora, Peggy Sioux and Bond Chairman in a blanket finish.

It was a first Royal Ascot winner for Eustace who trains in Newmarket and took over from his father James just over a year ago.

Turner, who was also on duty for ITV Racing this week, gave a mention to jockey George Wood who normally rides the winner but couldn’t do the 8st 2lb required here.

The Johnny Murtagh-trained Ladies Church was sent off favourite here and finished a respectable ninth, just in front of the Karl Burke-trained Korker who was the unlucky horse of the race, having lost a lot of ground exiting the stalls.