CARRIE Ford, the jockey who beat the odds to finish fifth in last year's Grand National, has made a special return to the saddle.

Mum-of-one Carrie, who lives in Little Budworth, retired from professional riding after running this year's National on Forest Gunner but was back on her mount to promote the Saddle Up campaign, which is ploughing more than £550,000 into equine-related businesses.

The project aims to create businesses, boost jobs and stimulate sales markets. Carrie, who together with husband Richard trains racehorses at Folly Farm Stables, said it would be a welcome boost.

She said: 'Horse riders already contribute a huge amount to the Cheshire economy and this investment will help improve facilities and opportunities.'

Charles Dewitt, manager of Oaktree Riding Centre, said his voluntarily-run yard was overlooked in the scheme.

He said: 'They always overlook the small yards like ours.

'They might have good intentions but let's start with consulting the basic people.'