Mandy Scourfield, a 48 year-old publican at the Carew Inn, could be on her way to realising the dream of a lifetime by riding in her first ever horse race in front of 70,000 spectators and a TV audience of millions at Aintree on Grand National Day.
Mandy applied with thousands of other Aintree hopefuls to take part in the 2009 John Smith's People's Race on April 4, 2009, an event that gives 10 members of the public the chance to ride in a nine-furlong charity amateur flat race on one of the most prestigious days in the racing calendar.
Mandy is one of 32 members of the public selected to attend a gruelling assessment of her fitness and riding skills at the British Racing School, Newmarket, on January 17, in a bid to win a place in training for the starting line-up at the famous Liverpool course..
Talking about the challenge ahead, Mandy said: "I'm extremely excited to be chosen and am determined to make it through the first stage. To ride at Aintree really is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I now have a chance to make that happen."
After the first stage selection, 16 'apprentices' will be chosen to go forward to the second stage of the race which will involve extensive coaching with some of the country's leading race horse trainers before the field is finally whittled down to the 'Aintree 10' who will compete on April 4.
Along the way, riders will need to convince a panel of experts, including former Grand National winner Mick Fitzgerald and BBC Racing presenter Clare Balding, that they are ready to meet the daunting challenge that awaits them at Aintree.
Each of the riders taking part in the race will collect £5,000 for their chosen charity with the winner receiving £50,000 for their charity plus the added incentive of a five-star trip for two to Dubai for racing's 2010 World Cup or support from John Smith's to continue their development as an amateur jockey.
The 2008 People's Race was won by Clare Twemlow, an accountant from Newmarket who rode to victory for Direct Aid for Africa. Clare has since taken out an amateur licence and recently made her debut over hurdles at Taunton finishing a respectable fourth.
Gareth Turner, senior brand mmanager - ale, at John Smith's brand owner Scottish and Newcastle UK said: "In less than three years, the John Smith's People's Race has become one of the most talked about events in the amateur sporting calendar. Thousands of people applied for this year's event- from all over the UK and from so many different walks of life - and the quality of applicants suggests that the 2009 People's Race will be the best yet.
"With this in mind, we will be working with our partner racing schools at Newmarket and Doncaster to enhance their training schedules by including more assessment and training days and our novice riders will spend more 'quality time' at professional racing yards.
"Selecting the final 32 was a difficult decision for our expert panel but the hard work for riders won't begin until January when they begin the rigorous training regime they must successfully complete if they are realise their amazing Aintree dream."