Victoria Pendleton could not hide her delight as she exceeded expectations to finish fifth on her Cheltenham Festival debut.

The three-time Olympic cycling medallist, who lives in Moreton, near Thame, rode Pacha Du Polder for champion trainer Paul Nicholls in the St James’s Place Foxhunters Chase.

Pendleton gave the nine-year-old a patient ride and was last for the first mile.

As the race evolved, Pendleton began to move through the field.

Dependable in the jumping department, Pacha Du Polder was making lengths at some fences but turning into the straight Pendleton still had plenty to do.

As Nina Carberry brought Enda Bolger’s champion hunter and 13-8 favourite On The Fringe through to beat Marito by a neck, Pendleton stayed on strongly to complete an afternoon to remember.

She said: “I’d like to thank Alan and Lawney Hill, Andy Stewart (owner) and Paul Nicholls, they’ve made this all possible.

“I feel honoured to have been given this opportunity.

“It’s right up there with everything I’ve ever done, it’s such a rush.

“I think it’s one of the greatest achievements of my life.”

Nicholls added: “She was brilliant. I never doubted she would be OK. It was an absolutely super ride.”