brilliant idea!!

[brockguy]

from the racingpost..

Harry, I know youre tall, but Im sure you could do a grand job.

BRITAIN’S armchair jockeys will have the chance to prove they can do better than the professionals by taking part in a charity race at Aintree on Grand National day.

The John Smith's People's Race will give members of the public a chance to train as an amateur rider in order to compete in the 6f flat racefor a share of a £100,000 prize fund for charity.

A panel of racing experts will select the ten riders, who will undergo an intensive 16-day training programme commencing on February 10, before saddling up on April 14 to take part in the first race on the card in front of more than 70,000 spectators at Aintree, plus millions of BBC viewers around the world.

Claire Kennedy, marketing manager for John Smith's, said: "The Grand National holds a special place in the hearts of both the racing fraternity and the general public alike, which is why it is often called 'the people's race'.

"Through the John Smith's People's Race, we plan to take this special relationship to an unprecedented level in 2007, giving the ordinary man or woman in the street apriceless opportunity to experience the thrills of Grand National day - as a jockey!

“The training programme we’re putting in place will cover everything from the basic riding skills through to the tactics required to win a race, which means that riding experience is less important than the desire and commitment to raise money for charity by training to race at Aintree on Grand National day.” Charles Barnett, Aintree's managing director, said: "We are delighted to be working on this exciting and innovative idea with the Grand National sponsors. Maybe we will find a future jockey from among those entering."

Each of the jockeys will earn £5,000 for their chosen charity, while the winner will boost his or her charity earnings by an additional £50,000, as well as winning a five-star trip to Dubai for the 2008 World Cup.

Applications close on January 19. Entrants must be over 18 on that date and resident in the UK.

Details and entry forms are available from Ladbrokes betting shops or at www.johnsmiths.co.uk.

Postal applications can be sent to The John Smith's People's Race, Third Floor, 8-10 Lower James Street, London W1F 9EL.