Victoria Pendleton all set for big challenge

Once the noise has abated following the Timico Gold Cup on Friday the focus will be on Victoria Pendleton, who fulfils her ultimate objective of riding at the Cheltenham Festival.

This time last year she had not even sat on a horse but with a top team behind her and a new found passion for racing, Pendleton has embraced her ‘switching saddles’ campaign in the manner befitting a dual Olympic cycling champion.

Her progress has been startling as she has progressed from work rider to competing in Flat races last summer followed by point-to-points during the winter.