Four Scots have been selected among 32 hopefuls for a chance to ride at the Grand National.

Robin Morrison, a 45 year old Leisure Attendant from Edinburgh, Rosanagh Robertson, a 22 year old student at Edinburgh University, Nicola Jardine, a 29 year old equine sports therapist from Lockerbie and Eleanor Warren, a 21 year old work rider at Lucinda Russell, Kinross, could be on their way to realising the dream of a lifetime by riding in their first ever horse race in front of 70,000 spectators and a TV audience of millions at Aintree on Grand National Day.

All four 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 9-furlong charity amateur flat race on one of the most prestigious days in the racing calendar.

The Scottish contingent will now to attend a grueling assessment of 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, Robin Morrison 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 race training 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, 2009.

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.