Turner was narrowly beaten on the 5-2 favourite at Ascot

Hayley Turner finished second in her comeback race after a spell on the sidelines following a head injury.

Britain's top female rider had been facing a year out of the saddle but was cleared to return by the British Horseracing Authority on Thursday.

She was beaten by a head on board Prompter in her first race, and her mount Great Charm was disqualified after a false start in her second.

"It wasn't to be, but it wasn't all about winning today," said Turner.

"I am just delighted to be back."

Turner looked to be a good bet for a fairytale comeback victory at Ascot, but was just edged out by David Probert on Black Spirit.

"I thought I would win when we ranged alongside the leaders, but he did not pick up for the stick and we were just out-battled.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to Turner's return

"It felt as if I had never been away - it's like riding a bike and I was pretty fit as I have been riding out for the last two months in the hope that the decision might be overturned."

Asked how low she became during her time off, Turner replied: "I'll never forget the day someone told me to prepare myself for the fact that I might not ride again. That was the worst day of my life.

"It was so frustrating watching from the sidelines - racing is not a job for me, it is my life and to wake up and think 'what I am going to do with myself today' has not been easy.

"However, it is onwards and upwards now - I'm at Nottingham on Saturday, and my guv'nor, Michael Bell, tells me that it will be business as usual from next week."

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