Hopefuls compete to ride in John Smith's race
This weekend 30 hopefuls will bid to be selected to ride in the John Smith's People's Race at this year's Grand National.
John Smith's launched the People's Race to find ten members of the public to ride in a charity flat race on Grand National day which will raise £100,000 for the riders' nominated charities.
Throughout the weekend, applicants from across the UK will be put through their paces in a final assessment.
The competitors will have their fitness levels assessed, their riding style analysed and their dedication questioned by an expert panel - as they attempt to secure their place in the 2007 John Smith's People's Race.
After receiving 3,500 applications from across the UK, John Smith's has whittled the field down to a final 30 which includes a bricklayer, builder, housewife, firefighter and a bar worker.
Spokesman David Jones said: "These 30 competitors are all fighting for a unique chance to ride at the greatest event in the UK racing calendar. "
Next week John Smith's will reveal the 15 finalists who, over the next 8 weeks, will be trained by some of the country's leading race horse trainers, before heading to Aintree on 14th April to compete at the 2007 John Smith's Grand National meeting.
