VICTORIA Pendleton is set to take the next step on her journey to ride at the Cheltenham Festival by taking part in her first race under rules on Monday.

The dual Olympic gold medallist is in line to partner Lawney Hill’s Royal Etiquette in the final event at Ripon, the Betfair Novice Flat Amateur Riders Handicap over 1m3f.

Pendleton, who lives in Moreton, near Thame and is aiming to ride in the Fox Hunters Chase at the Cheltenham Festival next year, had her first taste of race riding when she finished eighth in a charity race at Newbury at the start of last month.

The 34-year-old has been riding out five times a week at Hill’s Aston Rowant yard, and is looking to ride in point-to-points later in the year.

"She's hoping to ride Royal Etiquette on Monday,” said Hill.

“She's done the two-day course at the British Racing School to get the Flat and jumps licence.

"She's hoping to get that and then go up to Ripon on Monday and see how we get on.

"It's a race for novice amateurs who have ridden less than three winners, so she will be against other novice riders.

"That's why it was chosen for her and also it's a Betfair-sponsored race and they are sponsoring her.

"I see no problem why she won't get the licence, unless there's a technical problem I'm not aware of."

Pendleton announced in March she was training to become a jockey, with a long-term aim of competing in the Foxhunter Chase at next year's Cheltenham Festival.

She had her first experience in public in a charity race at Newbury in early July when finishing eighth on the Hill-trained Mighty Mambo.

She has undergone several months of intensive training under a team of experts recruited by Betfair and has been riding out regularly for Hill at her Oxfordshire stables.

The Ripon executive expressed their delight at the news.

"It's very exciting. It's not very often someone can change from one sport to another and we're delighted to hear she's coming to Ripon to ride," said James Hutchinson, managing director and clerk of the course.

"It will put extra publicity on the meeting and may add some to the crowd.

"We are very supportive of what she's doing."