Irish jockey Nina Carberry claimed victory in the St James's Place Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham, while Victoria Pendleton exceeded all expectations by finishing fifth on Pacha Du Polder.

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ON THE FRINGE wins the Foxhunter Chase. @v_pendleton on PACHA DU POLDER comes a brilliant 5th! #CheltenhamFestival https://t.co/Gsk6mwFagR

— Channel 4 Racing (@Channel4Racing) March 18, 2016

Pendleton gave the Paul Nicholls-trained nine-year-old a very patient ride and was stone last for the first mile.

As the race began to evolve, Pendleton, a double Olympic cycling champion, began to move through the field with style.

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

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Nina Carberry wins the Foxhunters again at Cheltenham on On The Fringe (13/8 fav), trained by Enda Bolger. pic.twitter.com/7LpkinMCQZ

— The Irish Field (@TheIrishField) March 18, 2016

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

Nicholls said of the ride: "That was the only the way to ride him - hunt, hunt, hunt. She went for a clear round, took her time and in the end was not beaten far.

"She was brilliant. I never doubted she would be OK. It was an absolutely super ride."

Grand National-winning trainer Oliver Sherwood said: "I thought it was a 12 out of 10, let the knockers knock, it was a great ride.

"It was just a shame she was not in the top four. She had never ridden a year ago and I take my hat off to her. I think we should embrace it, as it is very good for racing."

Carberry said of her winning ride: "I'm so happy, I didn't think I had a chance turning in but he winged the last and he's always there for you.

"I was expecting a better gallop so I could use his jumping a bit more.

"I missed the third-last and lost a few lengths and thought my chance had gone, but I winged the last two.

"He loves the spring ground, it brings out the best in him, it's a dream come true.

"Enda is unreal at getting them to peak for the big day. Well done to them and I'm just delighted to get to ride him."

Bolger said: "It's exciting to go back-to-back in this but it's a race in which we had a little bit of everything. Clapping Victoria on the way back as well as Nina - it was a fantastic performance by both women.

"He hadn't run since Punchestown in April when he came back to the track and as he done very well in his spell at JP's (McManus) place, he was burly and needed the race. We had him ready today to pull out all the stops and we are on cloud nine again.

"I thought Victoria's performance was second to none."