Fringe bids for Foxhunter defence

On The Fringe returns to defend his crown in the St James's Place Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham this afternoon.

The 11-year-old carried all before him in the hunter chase division last year, following victory in this race with wins at Aintree and Punchestown, but he was disappointing on last month's reappearance at Leopardstown.

Trainer Enda Bolger said: "Our horse will appreciate the drying ground which is what we have been waiting for. We're very happy with him and he'll relish the nicer ground."

Most of the attention will be on Victoria Pendleton, who fulfils her ultimate objective of riding at the Festival, and Bolger said: " We wish her the best of luck. It's a big field, so we will all need some luck."

This time last year Pendleton 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.

She only had her first mount in a hunter chase a month ago. That may have ended in disappointment when she was unseated from Pacha Du Polder at Fakenham, but any tears turned to cheers as she guided the Paul Nicholls-trained 11-year-old to victory at Wincanton.

"By no means was it an easy decision to make. I wouldn't have made the decision without the support of my team of experts around me that have been with me throughout the whole challenge," Pendleton said.

"I appreciate it was not a decision that should be taken lightly as National Hunt racing is an extremely dangerous sport where there are lots of risks involved, but I feel that I'm capable of being part of that race.

"Lawney and Alan Hill have been putting up with me as a work rider, helping me and coaching me and I've thoroughly enjoyed it

"Yogi Breisner, who gave me those first lessons, wondered if I was going to ever rise and trot, but we progressed quite quickly and I appreciate his continuous support throughout this.

"I'm absolutely thrilled that Paul Nicholls has been supportive and Andy Stewart (owner) has given me a wonderful opportunity to ride an incredible horse.

"I would also like to thank the jockeys that have publicly supported me, the likes of AP McCoy, Aidan Coleman and Tom Scudamore, because there have been tough times and their positivity has helped me through that."

Completing the course in what is the amateur riders' Gold Cup will be seen as success in itself.

Pendleton went on: "If I get round on the horse and complete the course I feel like it will be a gold medal. Olympic medals are like a dream, you don't even believe they are truly possible.

"From the start of this challenge I've not allowed myself to think it's not possible, but by no means did I think it was a sure thing.

"Every stage we've taken step by step and the wonderful thing about working with horses is that I feel I've had to improve my mental and emotional approach, because the horse is very intuitive. It feels what you are feeling.

"The great thing about working with horses is that it has allowed me to push myself to grow even further and better at that control aspect, because you have to be focused and relaxed.

"In terms of the pressure, being part of such a huge race, it's the biggest event I'm going to compete in so far. It's a phenomenal crowd there and I was watching last year thinking 'wow, if I get chance to do this it would be something really special'. I'm excited more than anything."

Nicholls is pleased Pendleton has arrived on the racing scene to give the sport more attention.

"We are all crying out for more publicity in racing and I think Victoria brings in a different audience," said the Ditcheat handler.

"She probably had the biggest cheer I heard at Wincanton since See More Business won there as a 13 year old."

He added of Pacha Du Polder: "He is a super horse, and he is probably better left-handed than he is right-handed. I know we made the running at Wincanton, but that is not ideal in the Foxhunter. It's over three and a quarter miles and he has never won over three miles. We will ride him more patiently, hence why we rode him like that at Fakenham."

Betting exchange Betfair has backed Pendleton's campaign and believe she and racing are already winners.

"It feels like Victoria has won already by getting this far. It's unbelievable to think that just over a year ago she hadn't sat on a horse. It's phenomenal what she's achieved. For her to come into this sport at 35 years of age takes a lot of guts," said spokesman Barry Orr.

"She's built up a great rapport with Pacha Du Polder and all the horses she has ridden. She's just in love with the game. She's been a fantastic ambassador for Betfair, for racing and for sport in general."