There can be few jobs in Britain more solitary than a shepherd in the western highlands, and few assignments more dauntingly public than a race-riding debut at Aintree on Grand National day. This, though, is the culture shock awaiting Jonny Ferguson next week.

Even within the eclectic mix of a care worker, an accountant, a fitness instructor and a nail technician, Ferguson's occupation stands out among the ten qualifiers for the John Smith's People's Race. He is one of four men outnumbered by six women, one of four 40-somethings. But he is certainly the only Scottish shepherd.

Ferguson has been trained up in the Perthshire yard of Lucy Normile, who has provided Tycheros as his mount. Even the thrice-weekly drive to morning stables is a 150-mile round trip from his home at Dalmally.

“I got into farming when I left school and I've always worked with animals,” Ferguson told Diary. “I actually worked in a racing yard for three months but I was doing more sweeping-up than riding and found it boring, so went back to what I know.”

That is being one of two shepherds on the largest sheep farm in Europe. Also, doubtless, one of the more remote, occupying 12 square miles in the mountainous land east of Ben Nevis. “We've got 8,000 sheep here and there are eight hills of over 3,000 feet on the land,” he said. “There's a lot of dog work, a lot of walking.”

All of which has doubtless helped Ferguson stay fit for the challenge that first motivated him a year ago. “I saw the first People's Race and the handyman on our estate found out how to apply. I didn't expect to get this far and I've never even been to Aintree, so it should be quite an experience.”

David Beckham is not the only

sportsman who has been desperate to leave the 99-club. In racing terms, his equivalent is Robert Thornton, star jockey at the past two Cheltenham Festivals but still longing for his first century of winners in a season.

Three years ago, Thornton rode 97 and, last season, he was agonisingly stranded on 99. He is currently on a skiing holiday while serving six days of whip suspensions but, with 93 banked and a month remaining to find seven further winners, surely the elusive 100 is guaranteed?

“I daren't even think about it until it happens,” he said from the slopes yesterday. “It means a lot to me and I built myself up for it last year, only to get disappointed. I remember riding one at Chepstow on the penultimate day and it was in front everywhere bar the line. So I'm taking nothing for granted this time.”

For many attendees, Royal Ascot is

as much about people-watching as race-watching. Now, it seems, certain folk have given themselves carte-blanche to ogle well-dressed women without attracting censure.

Ascot is setting out to find its “Face of 2009” and the process, we are told, will involve some unnamed representatives of the royal racecourse scouting for a “new and undiscovered female personality”. The search is to take place within the public enclosures on the first two days of the royal meeting.

It is unclear whether volunteers are needed for this arduous task. Grubby mackintosh apparently not required.

News items this week have told how

thousands of people in Tewkesbury are still unable to return to their homes after the devastating floods of last summer. Follow the river Severn a few miles north to Worcester and the flood damage to professional sport is also still evident.

While Worcestershire hope to restore their New Road ground to use for the start of the cricket season, the racecourse across the river is not so fortunate. Worcester lost most of its fixtures last summer and, after an inspection this week, it is still deemed unraceable. Its first meeting, on April 6, has been transferred to Southwell.