She didn’t win, but Victoria Pendleton has answered her critics in the best possible style by finishing a creditable fifth on Pacha Du Polder in the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham.
The dual Olympic cycling gold medallist displayed plenty of the same dash she demonstrated in the velodrome as she executed her game plan in perfect style to deliver the Paul Nicholls-trained nine-year-old with a late rattle.
Her participation in the race had divided opinion over the past 12 months, with backing coming from such luminaries as Sir Anthony McCoy.
But multiple champion jockey John Francome described her as “an accident waiting to happen”, who needed “saving from herself”.
Francome may now think otherwise, as Pendleton could barely be discerned from her more experienced rivals and showed fine judgment.
Pendleton exercised extreme patience aboard the Andy Stewart-owned Pacha Du Polder but her mount could not match last year’s winner and 13-8 favourite On The Fringe ridden by top amateur Nina Carberry.
“The first couple of fences came really quickly but I got settled into a rhythm and he jumped so beautifully. He really gave me a great opportunity and was very relaxed,” Pendleton said.
“I was trying not to expend too much energy and I knew I just had to hunt round.
“Nobody knew whether this was possible, me included, but I’ve given it my best shot and taken it step by step.
“I had 100 per cent faith from the start and I trusted my experts and their belief whichever decision they came to (about her participation).
“I just want to consolidate what I’ve done to become a more competent horsewoman.
“We will see how it goes. I just really want to enjoy going back to the yard and riding out first lot tomorrow. I just want to go and enjoy riding now as I love the training side of it all every day and watching them come on.
“The reception felt like I’d won and I feel very lucky for that. I didn’t expect to get that sort of cheer, it was quite humbling really and it ranks right up there with being at the Olympic velodrome.
“I feel very honoured and a fortunate human being to be given such a wonderful opportunity. It was a ridiculously audacious dream and we gave it our best shot.”
