An Oxford woman could be poised to live the dream and race in front of thousands of people at Aintree on Grand National day.

Alex Young, 45, from Slaymaker Close in Risinghurst, has been selected to attend the first round of assessments for the 2008 John Smith's People's Race.

The race was first launched at this year's Grand National and gives 10 ordinary members of the public a chance to ride in a nine furlong flat race on the day and raise money for charity.

Miss Young said: "I am a big fan of the races and saw this year's race on TV and thought it looked like fun and that I would like to give it a go. I never thought for a moment that I would get this far. I can honestly say it is the most exciting thing that I have ever done - I cannot sleep for thinking about it."

Miss Young will now go to Newmarket race course in East Anglia on January 17 and 18, along with 31 other hopefuls, for an assessment of her riding ability and fitness.

Only ten people will be chosen to take part in the big race, who get to work with professional race horse trainers for the big race.

The mum-of-two said she was confident of her riding ability ahead of the assessment, but that she was now working hard to ensure she was fit enough to take part.

She said: "The worst thing in the world would be for me to get there and them tell me I was not fit enough to do it.

"That is why I am riding, swimming, going to the gym and jogging every day. I really want this."

Miss Young said she had received a lot of support from her two daughters Georgina, 17 and Sammy, 15.

She said: "They have been fantastic and are really behind me. They think I am very brave for what I am doing."

Everyone entering the race will be given £1,000 towards a charity of their choice with the winner receiving £50,000.

Miss Young, who works for Oxford Community Work Agency - a charity based in Barton - has said she will not be giving the winnings to her work.

She said: "I think there would be a conflict of interest there, so I think I will either give the money to the Blue Cross or to Riding for the Disabled."

Tom Earl, spokesperson for the John Smith's People's Race, said: "After a raft of applications and entries this year, the competition is now heating up.

"Getting down to the final 32 is really exciting and we at Scottish and Newcastle wish all the finalists the best of luck."