SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Victoria Pendleton Britain’s most successful female Olympian is on course to complete her one-year ‘Betfair #SwitchingSaddles’ challenge, as she gears up to ride the Cheltenham Festival 2016 Foxhunter Chase on 18 March.
This weekend three-time Kirin Olympic cycling gold medallist completed a clear ride on Supreme Danehill, finishing seventh in the Novices Riders’ Race at Horseheath Point-to-Point.
Trainer Alan Hill was pleased with Pendleton’s progress, stating that her ride had been “another good day at the office. She’s had another hard ride and got stuck in. Her ride was equal to anyone else who has ridden Danehill”.
Pendleton now has two more rides (at Larkhill and Wincanton) before she races Pacha Du Polder at the 2016 Foxhunter Chase. At present Pendelton and Pacha Du Polder are a 33-1 outsider of landing Festival glory come 18 March.
Betfair backed trainer and mentor to Pendleton, Paul Nicholls told Channel 4 Racing that the Olympians journey had reached its critical point this month. “Victoria is coming to school Pacha Du Polder on Monday and he is going to run at Wincanton on Wednesday – then the team will make a decision after we see how we get on in the week.”
Pendleton’s #SwitchingSaddles campaign has been documented by Betfair marketing on social media and video channels, which can be viewed at https://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/pendleton/
