Olympic track cyclist Victoria Pendleton can hardly wait to get back in the saddle again after making a polished start to her new career as a jockey in finishing eighth on Mighty Mambo at Newbury.

The dual gold medal-winning 34-year-old, who lives in the village of Moreton near Thame, announced in March she was training to become a rider, with a long-term aim of competing in the Foxhunter Chase at next year's Cheltenham Festival.

Pendleton has undergone four months of intensive training under a team of experts recruited by Betfair and has been riding out five times a week for Oxfordshire-based trainer Lawney Hill.

She made her racecourse bow at the Berkshire circuit aboard Hill's eight-year-old in the George Frewer Charity Race, travelling well towards the rear of the field through the early stages.

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Still with just two behind her turning for home, Pendleton's mount made pleasing progress down the long straight and was not beaten overly far, with his rider not looking out of place.

The one-mile-five-furlong event was won by the Maisie Turner-ridden Oratorio's Joy.

Pendleton said: "I loved every minute of it, but it was over so quickly, I wish I could do it again."