VICTORIA Pendleton vowed to bounce back after being unseated on her first ride over regulation fences at Fakenham today.

The dual Olympic champion cyclist, from Moreton, near Thame, was riding Pacha Du Polder, her intended mount at next month’s Cheltenham Festival, in the Betfair Switching Saddles “Grassroots” Fox Hunters’ Chase.

The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding was the 8-13 favourite, but was slightly impeded by Baltic Blue at the seventh fence and both riders – Pendleton and Carey Williamson – crashed to the ground, but were soon on their feet.

The race was won by Vasco Du Mee.

Pendleton said: “I was really looking forward to the race and another opportunity to ride such a fabulous horse.

“Pacha Du Polder is so excellent and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every fence we’ve schooled over.

“I’m very disappointed I didn’t given him a fair shot. He was an odds-on favourite and it was a disappointing job from me, I think.

“I think the horse next to me (Baltic Blue) propped in and as we both came over together he sort of knocked me to one side and I came out the side door.

“It’s one of those things, it’s racing – it’s what happens.”

Pendleton, 35, escaped injury and that she still wants to ride Pacha Du Polder at the Cheltenham Festival.

She said: “It’s up to the team of experts to decide whether I’m ready for Cheltenham – I hope I am.

“I appreciate this is what happens, and it was going to happen sooner or later.

“I’ve had a good run, I’ve not had a fall until now really.

“More than anything it’s a bruised ego, but it won’t put me off.

“I absolutely love riding horses and I’d love to be a work-rider until the end of my days, maybe get a couple of horses myself and do some pointing.

“You have to expect a setback at some point and this was one of those days, unfortunately.”