Grand National: Mother’s big Aintree chance brings in £5,000 for dwarfism charity

Apr 7 2008 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post

Mother’s big Aintree chance brings in £5,000 for dwarfism charity

AMANDA CRAVEN, the Merseyside mother-of-three who won the chance to race round Aintree, came home fourth on Saturday.

The amateur jockey led the nine-furlong flat race round the Aintree track from the start.

But her horse, Inspirina, tired in the home stretch.

Mrs Craven, a nail technician from Maghull, said: “It was a really enjoyable experience.

“I had a great time but at the end he just ran out of steam – he was tired, which was a bit disappointing.

“It was nice to be up front for a while and looking back on it, it made quite an exciting race.”

Amanda, 38, was selected from thousands who entered the competition to ride in the race.

The “Aintree 10” were selected in March and paired up with trainers to prepare for the race, which was the opening event of Grand National day. Amanda trained at Richard and Carrie Ford’s yard in Tarporley, Cheshire, and raced for the Maghull-based charity Walking With Giants Foundation.

The charity was set up by Sue and John Connerty after their son, Alex, was diagnosed as the first primordial dwarf in the UK.

Sue and John are working to enrich the lives of primordial dwarves and to eliminate the stigma towards the disorder. They will receive £5,000 for Amanda’s run.

Amanda added: “Inspirina was lovely to ride – I’d only ridden him three times at the yard and he’s been the nicest horse I’ve ridden.

“I’ve just spoken to Carrie and she has said that it’s OK for me to carry on there.

“It’s something that I enjoy so much. I’m just going to go back on Tuesday, though not with the same schedule because it’s been very difficult with work and the kids.”

The winner of the People’s Race was Newmarket accountant Clare Twemlow, 29, on Zabeel Palace.

The six-year-old horse, which won by two and three-quarter lengths, is owned by Barney Curley, also from Newmarket.

Owner and jockey will donate the £55,000 winnings to the charity Direct Aid for Africa.