VICTORIA PENDLETON’S wait for a first winner goes on, after Working Title all but pulled himself up when leading the Ladies Open Race at Wadebridge yesterday.

The double Olympic gold medal cyclist, who lives in Moreton, near Thame, was out in front on the multiple course winner.

However, as the horses passed the enclosures for a final time, Working Title came to a near stop with Pendleton having to coax him back into the race.

They quickly dropped back through the field and Pendleton eventually pulled the horse up.

Aston Rowant trainer Lawney Hill, who is assisting Pendleton, said: “Victoria had a great spin on Working Title and they jumped well together for a lot of the race.

“The horse decided coming down the straight for a second time that he had done enough and pulled himself up.

“Victoria did really well to get him going again, but it is hard to make up ground when it’s as testing as it is and she wisely pulled up after being slightly hampered by a faller.”

Hill added: “It will have done her good to jump around on a tired horse and it’s all good experience for her for Cheltenham.

“The horse did pull an off-fore shoe off in the race so maybe that was part of the reason he did what he did too.”

Pendleton aims to ride in the St James’ Place Foxhunter Chase at next month’s Cheltenham Festival