VICTORIA PENDLETON defied expectations with a dazzling fifth place on her
Cheltenham debut.
Britain’s
Olympic cycling heroine, 35, stormed through from LAST POSITION on Pacha du
Polder in the Foxhunters Chase – just one year after taking up racing.
Beaming Pendleton said: “I am overwhelmed at how lovely the crowd has
been. I am honoured to have been given this opportunity.”
Ahead of her, Nina Carberry guided 13-8 favourite On The Fringe to a
back-to-back triumph in one of the country’s biggest events for amateurs.
But it was Pendleton’s highly creditable performance on the Paul
Nicholls-trained nine-year-old that astounded many pundits.
The double gold medallist at London 2012 trailed everyone for the first mile
before stylishly moving through the field on her
reliable jumper.
Then, still adrift of much of the field, Pendleton’s Pacha du Polder turned on
the power in the straight and soared in confidence for a powerful finish.
Carberry, meanwhile, led On The Fringe to victory by a neck from Marito.
Pendleton’s place at jump racing’s biggest meet had been into doubt last week
after she fell off Supreme Danehill – days after winning her debut race,
also on Pacha du Polder.
But a team of experts, including the horse’s trainer Paul Nicholls, gave her
go-ahead for today’s opportunity.
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