Galliers Counting The Days

Despite shoeing horses for a living, Mark Galliers had not sat on a thoroughbred until he applied for the John Smith's People's Race.

Now the South Wales farrier is making the most of the chance of a lifetime as he builds up to the nine-furlong charity event on Grand National day at Aintree.

Galliers, 35, has made the final 10 from 3,500 hopefuls and cannot wait to get the leg up on Leading Article, trained by Evan Williams.

'It's brilliant, I'm really enjoying it. I'm here every day at Evan's as I'm the farrier to the yard,' he said.

'I've been shoeing State Of Play and Demi Beau before they run at Aintree this week.

'I've got the best of both worlds. I can shoe a couple, then ride a couple, and I keep myself pretty fit.

'Once I got involved it was the first time I sat on a racehorse proper. It was new to me but it's been good.

'I've been a farrier for 15 years and shoeing Evan's horses for over three years.

'It's just a fantastic opportunity for me. I see the lads every day and see what they are going through ? riding out and then going off racing. I rode ponies when I was younger but it's something else to have a go at this.'

(C) PA Sport