POWYS based horse racing trainer Kerry Lee will have her first ever ride in public when she partners her Grade Two-winning chaser Top Gamble in a charity race at Hereford on Tuesday afternoon.

Lee and 11 other competitors will line up at 5pm for the mile-and-a-half contest in aid of St Michael’s Hospice in Hereford.

The Presteigne handler has been driven to take the plunge because it is a cause close to her heart and for the esteem she has for jockeys.

Lee will ride Top Gamble, owned by Welshpool based James and Jean Potter.

“I’m riding Top Gamble and I’ve been in training now for some months,” said Lee. “It’s my first ever ride. I’ve never had a ride in a point-to-point or anything. Pony racing wasn’t invented when I was a kid.

“It’s in aid of St Michael’s hospice which is a charity for the terminally ill. They give care for people in their last days based in Herefordshire.

“I have raised nearly £7,000 already for the charity and I’m trying to bump up the total as much as possible.”

Lee explained why she decided to take the challenge.

“The reason I’ve done it is a personal challenge. I’ve always had huge respect for professional jockeys out there riding,” said Lee

“I’ve had to challenge myself quite a lot. I’ve never had the bottle to be a jockey, let alone to be able to do the weight. It’s been a big thing for me to get this fit.

“Hereford racecourse deserve huge credit. They’ve done a lot to help raise money for a charity that is local to us.

“It’s great to be able to do something positive.”