Victoria Pendleton unseated but unscathed at Fakenham

Victoria Pendleton was unseated on her first ride over regulation fences in the Betfair Switching Saddles “Grassroots” Fox Hunters’ Chase at Fakenham yesterday.

The dual Olympic champion cyclist was riding the nine-year-old Pacha Du Polder for a second time, with the pair having been beaten in a photo-finish at Milborne St Andrew point-to-point in late January.

The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding was the 8-13 favourite for this three-mile contest and Pendleton gave her mount time to find his feet, initially dropping him out at the rear of the six-runner field.