Dual Olympic champion 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.

Pendleton finished eighth on Mighty Mambo in a charity race at Newbury on Thursday night (Friday AEST).

The 34-year-old 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 been riding out five times a week for Oxfordshire-based trainer Lawney Hill.

She made her racecourse debut aboard the Hill-trained eight-year-old, travelling well towards the rear of the field through the early stages.

Still with just two behind her turning for home, Pendleton's mount made pleasing progress down the long straight and was not beaten far.

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

"My only fear was not to get run away with at the start, and die a death in the home straight.

"I tried to be patient, but I left myself with a bit too much to do and I should have gone for a gap a bit sooner.

"My aim was to get through the race, not look out of place or fall off, and to get to the end in one piece.

"One of the biggest things about riding a horse is you have to keep your cool to a whole new level. It's helped develop myself as an athlete as you have to build this phenomenal relationship with the horse.

"I've been missing a challenge. I wanted something to get out of bed for and something that training fulfilled, and this filled the gap.

"If I get to the start line at Cheltenham it will be a huge win for me, as I appreciate how tough jumps racing is. People underestimate how much work jockeys put in.