Jockey Megan Nicholls hopes to play a starring role at Ladies Night at Carlisle tomorrow.

The daughter of 12-time champion jumps trainer Paul Nicholls returns to the track for the only fixture in Britain at which every jockey in every race is female.

Nicholls believes the event, sponsored by VL Aesthetics, is a “great event not just for girls but for racing”.

The 24-year-old looks set to have a ride in all seven races in an event which returns this year after last year's Covid cancellation.

She said: “We were all gutted that it couldn’t go ahead last year with COVID so it is great that they have managed to put it back on and hopefully it can be another fun evening. It is definitely a meeting I always look to be riding at.

“There is always a great atmosphere inside and outside the weighing room. It’s a fun night and one we look forward to. We all support each other when we have winners and just try to enjoy riding with each other.

“It is a great thing not just for the girls but for racing. It’s always a meeting that has had a huge amount of entries and declared runners so in that respect it is great too. 

“We would love to have a few more meetings like this but we are lucky enough to get one of them.

"Carlisle always has a good atmosphere and if you are fortunate to ride a winner there you are always given a good welcome coming back in.

“However, the girls' meeting is especially good fun and the crowd always seem to get really involved.”

Carlisle Racecourse general manager Molly Dingwall says they are looking forward to having an unrestricted crowd on site to enjoy the racing.

The event will also give recognition to local women "who have gone above and beyond to serve our community over the past 18 months", with each of the seven races taking place on the night being named after them.

"We wanted to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to those who have been the bedrock of our local community during the challenging times we have all endured," Dingwall said.

Nicholls added of the meeting: “It can open up new opportunities with girls riding for connections who they wouldn’t normally ride for, so in that respect it is obviously very important."

The seven-race card gets under way at 5.25pm while BBC Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills will perform a set after the racing.

Tickets via thejockeyclub.co.uk/Carlisle