IF Ms Carey Williamson lines up to ride in the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham, no one will bat an eyelid. No one will care if she is a danger to herself or to racing.

Just another amateur rider aware of the risks involved in jump racing.

So who is she? She was the jockey unseated alongside Victoria Pendleton at Fakenham last week, who went unceremoniously over the head of her horse when he made a slight mistake.

No camera zoomed in as she lay on the ground. If she was injured, she was injured. That’s the sport. That’s the playing field.

No former jockey decided she was too loose in the saddle or shouldn’t be on board.

John Francome and Steve Smith-Eccles were both of the opionion that it was too early for Pendleton to be allowed ride in the Foxhunters. Yes, she did look ‘loose’ and it’s quite likely she could be easily unseated. That stretch of fences at Cheltenham from the water on the far side to the turn into the straight is a daunting one on a tiring horse.

But if she is willing, and as an Olympic medallist, she is unlikely to give up too easily, and those advising her are happy she can make a decent attempt at getting round, then why not let her have a go.

Those of long memory may well remember Prince Charles’ attempts to ride the winner of a jumping race and ending in a bloody nose. It was okay then for the heir to the British throne to take the risk of injury and not bring any bad publicity to the sport.

She’s fit and athletic if she does fall off. Why should it reflect badly on the sport if she fails to complete?

It’s a tough game, Cheltenham will be a much tougher test than Fakenham.

She may very well not complete, but that shouldn’t stop her being allowed to compete.