BREAKING: Pendleton on course for Cheltenham with Wincanton win

Victoria Pendleton enhanced her chances of competing at this month’s Cheltenham Festival by recording the first win of her career as a jockey at Wincanton this afternoon.

The windy conditions in Somerset meant that field was asked to jump 13 fences, rather than the 17 that is normal for a two-and-a-half mile race.

However, Pendleton coped well with the late alteration as she hit the front of the field early on and never looked like being thwarted.

The 35-year-old, who is a lifetime member of Mildenhall Cycling Club, faced a barrage of criticism after she was unseated on today’s ride during her first ever start at Fakeneham two weeks ago.

Yet, she vowed to carry on and will no doubt feel vindicated following her triumph on the 5-4 favourite today.

An announcement over whether or not she will be in the saddle of the Paul Nicholls-trained nine-year-old at Cheltenham is expected in the near future.