Hayley Turner returns to the saddle at Ascot today after winning her appeal against a 12-month suspension imposed by the racing authorities. Britain's most successful female jockey has two rides for Michael Bell, who has resolutely backed her quest to overturn the controversial ruling.

After the favourable decision by the appeal panel of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), Turner said last night: “I'm absolutely delighted. I can't wait to get back in the saddle and I am very grateful to Dr Peter Kirkpatrick, my neurosurgeon, for all his help and support in a difficult time.”

Turner's woes began when she had a bad fall riding a horse at exercise in Newmarket in March. The horse collapsed after breaking a leg, catapulting Turner to the ground, bruising her brain and causing her to bleed from the ears and nose.

Turner also suffered from memory loss. The cumulative effect of her injuries prompted Dr Michael Turner, the BHA's chief medical adviser, to ground her for 12 months from the date of the accident. His decision came as a big surprise to Turner and Kirkpatrick, the neurosurgeon who believed that she could return to the saddle when she felt ready.

While Bell was inclined to draw a line under the matter last night, he was disappointed that the appeal process had taken so long. “There are lessons to be learnt here,” he said. “The whole process of a jockey coming back from serious injury needs reform, especially as Hayley's case has been ready to be heard for many weeks.”

Turner had hoped to have her appeal heard on June 4, but the BHA abandoned that date when it insisted she should be subjected to further tests. “It was ridiculous,” Bell said. “They could have told her about those tests much earlier, but by missing that date, Hayley was forced to wait for weeks until another date could be set. But for that, she could have ridden Art Connoisseur to win a group one race for me at Royal Ascot.”

After Dr Turner imposed the 12-month suspension, the jockey agreed to be examined by Dr Mark Munford, an independent neurosurgeon, who reported that Turner was fit to resume race-riding with immediate effect. However, a date for the appeal hearing was then governed by the professional commitments of Dr Michael Silk, who chaired the appeal panel.

“Dr Silk is so busy that there are very few dates when he is free each month,” Bell said. “It must have been so frustrating for Hayley, knowing that she had had a glowing fitness report from an independent neurosurgeon but having to wait those weeks to have her appeal heard.”

Bell felt that his stable jockey was unlikely to pursue a legal claim for lost earnings. But he was optimistic that Turner could return with a winner today when she rides Prompter in a maiden at Ascot. “Nothing would give me greater pleasure,” he said. “It has been a very difficult time for her and we are all glad that it is all over.”

Turner will return to find Frankie Dettori in sparkling form after the jockey rode a treble at Newmarket yesterday. He embellished two winners for Godophin with a third aboard Canadian Danehill, after which he said: “That was great. Hey, it's ladies' day. Everybody's happy.”

On a day when the fizz returned to the July Festival after a tepid opening day, Arcano carried the colours of the late Robert Sangster to victory in the TNT July Stakes.

Arcano is the second significant juvenile winner from Brian Meehan's stable after Radiohead's impressive victory at Royal Ascot. Yet while Radiohead looks a sprinter, Arcano has the pedigree to compete at a mile. Arcano's future looks bright, as does that of another juvenile, Awzaan, who scattered his opponents to win a conditions race by five lengths.