French jockey Mickaelle Michel fulfils a career ambition when riding at Ascot this afternoon and she can make the occasion all the more memorable with victory on DREAM COMPOSER (Ascot, 3.45).
Michel, 26, was champion apprentice in France in 2018 and has since made her mark riding in Japan. That experience will stand her in good stead as she makes her debut as part of the female jockey team — successful in 2015 and 2018 — alongside Hayley Turner and Nicola Currie in the annual Shergar Cup team event.
Riders are awarded points for where they finish in races and Michel has a chance of a maximum haul on the improving Dream Composer. The three-year-old gelding has made big strides since joining trainer James Evans, winning impressively at Carlisle and Kempton before being an unlucky loser when fourth at Royal Ascot in the five-furlong Palace of Holyrood Handicap.
That day Dream Composer had to be switched a couple of times before getting a clear run and finishing with real purpose when fourth to Significantly. In a few more strides his head would have been in front.
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