Well Done Vicky.....

[ToraToraTora]

5th Is no disgrace, rode an intelligent race.

[Ken4155]

Yes she rode an intelligent race but she was on a horse stabled by the country's leading trainer. Horse would probably have won if regular rider Mr W Biddick had been on board.
Typical of channel 4 to make the race all about the Olympic champ - before, during and after the race. And quite desperate of the Cheltenham officials to have a spot in the winner's enclosure especially for her.

[Sycamore3House]

She has now been interviewed longer and had more coverage than Nina Carberry. And she is in the winners enclosure. I feel sorry for all the lads and lasses that have been around horses all their lives who wanted that chance. Also the actual real winners. I agree with ken4155.

[quizbag]

I have to agree with ken. The media always focuses on celebrity not pure genius such as that of Nina Carberry. However I am glad that Pendleton got round safely and caused no problems for other riders.

[agchristie]

Ken > Horse would probably have won if regular rider Mr W Biddick had been on board

I have to disagree Ken. Two Foxhunters, One Aintree and One Punchestown now for the winner.

Victoria sensibly held up and made steady progress. Very good performance.

[Ken4155]

Okay, ag, i take your point, but Biddick would've got much closer. VP rode a safety first race and was running on past beaten horses at the death. Yes she did well, but like i said, her mount was trained by the country's finest and she was sponsored by one of the 'firms'. The entire thing smacked of a publicity stunt for the bookies. Is she's still around riding in hunter chases, etc, next season, without sponsorship and 'earning' the rides like most amateurs, she will have my utmost respect.

[woofgang]

a publicity stunt Ken? oh surely not!!!

[PankySmooch]

Wrong place wrong time for this pr stunt

[agchristie]

Ken > Biddick would've got much closer. VP rode a safety first race and was running on past beaten horses at the death.

Yes, I think that is more probable. I suppose the comments in running would say 'never nearer'.

A critic could argue that from a competetive point of view Pendleton never got into the race having been held up and was given far too much to do.

Shameful coverage from Ch4 and I felt sorry for Nina Carberry who rode a great race notwithstanding the fact that victory was far less decisive than last year.

[Psybbo]

Biddick did get closer 4th
I am glad she got round safely
But the star is Nina. her timing was immaculate

[agchristie]

> Psybbs Biddick did get closer 4th.

But not on Pendleton's mount. It would have been interesting had he done so.

[Ken4155]

Wasn't just channel 4 who were guilty of getting their priorities wrong, ag. Listened to a 5Live bulletin tonight in which hers was the first name mentioned as regards the festival, including a snippet of what she said after the race. Then, almost as an afterthought, they told us that Don Cossack had won the feature race of the meeting.

[Svejk]

I doubt Nina 'gave a ***' as she might put it, in her own inimitable style.

[Ken4155]

Probably not, Svejk, but the last day of Cheltenham is supposed to be all about the Gold Cup, the feature race of the festival. The combined media turned it into the Victoria Pendleton circus. And i actually heard one or two commentate that it had raised the profile of the sport. As if Cheltenham needed any help!

[PankySmooch]

Pair play to AP McCoy on C4Racing today, as soon as Clare Balding mentioned her name today AP said the highlight of the day is the Gold Cup not Victoria Pendleton

[thesecondlaw]

Biddick had previously won on the animal. I feel for him.