VICTORIA Pendleton was narrowly denied a first winner as an amateur jockey after her mount Pacha Du Polder was beaten in a photo-finish at Milborne St Andrew today.

The former Olympic cycling champion, who rode in charity and amateur races on the Flat before turning her attentions to the jumping game, completed her first point-to-point earlier this month.

It was subsequently revealed the Andy Stewart-owned Pacha Du Polder would be made available as a potential mount in the Foxhunter Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Runner-up in the Crabbie’s Fox Hunters’ Chase at Aintree last year when trained by Paul Nicholls, the nine-year-old is now in the care of Chloe Roddick in Somerset and is already qualified for the amateur riders’ Gold Cup at Prestbury Park in March.

Running in the Ladies' Open with Pendleton on board for the first time, Pacha Du Polder ran a fine race in defeat, going down by just a head.

Pendleton has been mentored since the start of her journey to become a jockey by trainers Alan and Lawney Hill and the latter was on hand for her latest ride.

"Paul told Victoria to drop the horse out as he can be quite keen in his races. He also told her to keep him wide and she did exactly as she was asked,’’ said Hill.

"She took up the running with a circuit to go and the horse rather pulled himself to the front, as we thought he might.

"She was a length down at the last and it looked like it might be a struggle, but she pushed him all the way to the line and in the end they’ve been beaten a head.

"Bryony Frost rode the winner and Bryony is a very experienced and very good lady rider.

"It was the horse’s first run in a long time, Paul said he would improve for the run and Chloe Roddick has done a great job with him.

"Speaking to Paul, he said the horse could run in another Ladies Open or in a hunter chase in around a fortnight’s time.

"It’s a very pleasing day and Victoria did a great job.’’