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HORSE RACING

Cycling star Pendleton victorious on horse

Britain's two-time Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton stormed to victory aboard Pacha Du Polder at Wincanton on Wednesday.

Victoria Pendleton riding Pacha Du Polder in the Betfair Switching Saddles Hunters' Steeplechase at Wincanton Racecourse.
Michael SteeleGetty Images

Britain's two-time Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton stormed to victory aboard Pacha Du Polder at Wincanton on Wednesday to claim her first win since swapping lycra for jockey's silks.

Pendleton, 35, was unseated by the same horse, trained by Paul Nicholls, on her first start under National Hunt Rules at Fakenham 12 days previously.

But she made no mistake in the Betfair Switching Saddles Hunters' Chase, surviving a couple of uncertain jumps to romp to victory by a huge 29 lengths on the nine-year-old 5-4 favourite.

As a cyclist, Pendleton won nine world titles and three Olympic medals, including golds in the women's sprint at the 2008 Games in Beijing and the Keirin at the 2012 Games in London.

Back when Victoria preferred the feel of carbon fibre between her legs.
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Back when Victoria preferred the feel of carbon fibre between her legs.

She announced her intention to become a jockey in March last year and set herself the target of competing in the amateur Foxhunter Chase at this year's Cheltenham Festival on March 18.