Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I'm one of the lucky 12 riders chosen for the St Patricks Day Derby at the Cheltenham Festival with all money raised going to a charity close to so many people's hearts - Cancer Research 

Six weeks ago I had my first experience on a race horse at the British Racing School and it was here I realised how much work I had ahead of me not to mention gaining a whole new level of respect for Jockeys.

On the day, March 17th, I will be wearing the Green and Gold colours of legendary owner JP McManus. I am incredibly grateful to both JP and Jonjo O'Neill for giving me a horse for the race and that horse will be Silent Jo.

I’ve had such a wonderful time out on the gallops at Jackdaws Castle getting to know him and no matter what happens on the day I can rest assured that he will get me safely over the finish line. 

I'm lucky enough to have got help from the very best including AP McCoy, Mick Fitzgerald, Richard Perham and Ian & Andrew Balding.

It has been at the Baldings yard at Kingsclere where I have really got to grips with the basics on a wonderful retired horse called Isphahan. They have a super team who are always happy to help which makes everything a little less daunting! 

It's definitely hard but rewarding work and being able to donate to such a worthy cause makes it all worthwhile. This brings me to the part where I ask for your help in a bid to raise as much as I can. Although people’s chances of surviving cancer have doubled in the last 40 years one in three of us will get cancer so the more we can raise for this amazing charity the better.  

Finally I'd like to thank Sky Bet, who have kindly offered to sponsor me in the race too, which means I will be able to give even more to such an important charity.

I’ll keep you updated on my progress (or potential lack of it) on twitter http://twitter.com/RACHEL_WYSE and every week on www.skysports.com any advice along the way will be more then welcomed!

Online Diary http://tinyurl.com/5urpzqd

PS. If your there on the day (March 17th) be sure you join in on the party afterwards!