Xtra - Spurs fan Aidan on 'unique' Grand National

Spurs fan Aidan Coleman knows his life could change over 30 fences at Aintree on Saturday.

That’s the fate awaiting the winner of the world-famous Grand National, the horse race that captures the nation and the world, with an estimated audience of over 500 million tuning in across the globe.

Aidan will ride Rainbow Hunter in this unique race over four miles, three and and half furlongs - taking on famous fences like The Chair and Beecher’s Brook - at 4.15pm on Saturday.

"It’s an amazing race, the most famous horse race in the world and one that attracts one of the largest sporting audiences on TV, that says it all,” said Aidan, who followed in his father’s footsteps to follow Spurs from Ireland.

“It’s still an incredible experience to take part. The Grand National is one of those races where winning is everything, but it is great to be part of the occasion as well. It’s unique.

“It’s life-changing to win, definitely. You are almost thrown into the category of world-famous, especially on the day. It does change people’s lives, without doubt.”

He was at pains to say it, but Aidan said the approach to the race had to be like the football saying ‘just another game’.

“Whatever way you look at it, it’s just another race, you still have the same objective and you can’t get too carried away,” he explained. “It is the Grand National, of course, but you still need to try and win and do your best for the owners, trainers and punters.

“You can’t lose that fact. You have to go into it the same as you would any other race on any other day, try to be relaxed and try to get the horse jumping, that’s the real test in the race because the fences are very big.

“Some horses take to the course better than others, and if you get a fence wrong, even one, it could be all over. There are 30 fences over four and a half miles and it’s a huge challenge. It’s a big test of horse and rider. You have to ride your race and hope for a little luck along the way.”

As for his own mount, Aidan, who went into the Aintree meeting on 94 winners for the season, says he’s looking forward to riding Rainbow Hunter.

“He’s in good shape, he’s 33-1 at the moment and might come in a little on the day as well,” he added. “He has good form this year. 33-1 is a big price for a normal race but for the National, it’s not that big because the prices tend to be bigger.”