DJ Sara Cox is used to early starts thanks to her days as a breakfast show host.

But the Bolton-born mumof- three has been having to rise early for another reason recently — she is in training to take part in a horse race at one of the country’s most prestigious meetings.

On Thursday, she will saddle up for the Celebrity Ladies Race, at Glorious Goodwood’s ladies day, in which she will compete against model Edie Campbell, polo player Claire Milford Haven, Channel 4 racing presenter Emma Spencer, Tatler editor Kate Reardon, racing driver and wife of Pink Floyd drummer Nick, Annette Mason and dressage champion, Laura Bechtolsheimer to raise money for Great Ormond Street hospital.

Sara, who hosts a show on Radio 1 every Sunday, has been training with champion jockey and trainer Walter Swinburn, who is best-known for riding the tragic 1981 Derby winner, Shergar.

And the racing legend rates the DJ’s chances of being first past the post in the six furlong race.

Mr Swinburn said: “It has been a pleasure having Sara here with us, she is 100 per cent keen, positive and a very confident rider.

“She is great fun and very popular here and we believe she is a winner already before she even sets foot on the track.” Sara told her followers on online social network Twitter, the 8am gallops at the trainer’s Hertfordshire stables were the “best way to start the day, even in the pouring rain.” She later added: “I can’t help smiling as I gallop.

“I’m like a dog with its head out of a car window, gums flapping in the breeze.” Sara rode when she was younger, and has previously appeared on the celebrity showjumping show, Only Fools on Horses.

During training she has been riding the pessimistically- named What’s The Point, although her mount for Thursday has yet to be confirmed.