The runners and riders are now limbering up in the paddock for the Liverpool Lib Dem Leadership Sweepstakes, 2008.
With a world record £62million debt as prize money and a world wide television audience stretching as far as Anfield in the north and Speke in the south, this year's race is expected to attract tens of eager punters.
With famous hurdles such as The Standards Board of England and Wales, Capital of Culture and General Incompetence providing formidable tests, this year's race is sure to be packed with exciting thrills and spills.
But with the going officially classed as 'the worst ever', it will be no surprise if any of the current contenders ever pass the winning post.
So, without further ado, we present our exclusive and in-depth Liverpool Subculture guide to all the declared runners and riders. And some not so declared.
Foolish Fireman, ridden by W. Bradley. Last year's winner has suffered a remarkable lack of form and has never really showed the promise forecast by his trainer, S.Toreyteller. FF has unseated his young rider several times already this year, most notably warming up in the paddock in front of a global audience for the Mathew Street stakes. Jockey Bradley is now said to be prone to Perroni, as a result. Likewise, the Fireman has never really recovered from the Mathew St setback, despite trips abroad to Las Vegas and Cannes. Temperamental and likely to veer off course at the slightest opportunity. Has been noticed foaming at the mouth recently. Did not get on with stablemate The Harbarrowboy, who disappeared to sunnier climes after winning The Pay-off Stakes. The 10-year-old Fireman is badly handicapped. Likely to be put out to stud if he falls here. Our advice: May be worth a flutter for old times sake, if you have any money left once you have paid your council tax. 2-1
Flo Clueless. Dependable old nag. A familiar filly who is fast becoming a regular at this event. Once notably fleet of foot and able to literally dance around the course - she was a particular favourite at the Irish Centre sweepstakes - she has now become a bit of a plodder. According to most commentators, she was lucky to survive a stewards inquiry into the recent Irish meeting and somehow escaped censure, after being accused of trying to rig the race. An unspectacular performer, she is likely to finish the course without any unfortunate mishaps. However, she will struggle to succeed ahead of her younger rivals on this surface - she is more used to the richer European turf and is carrying extra weight. Her backers tend to over-rate her abilities and she has done little to impress in the last four years. Last time out, finished a long way behind the leaders. This is probably her last chance to be first past the winning post. Our advice: 100-1 outsider. Not a hope in hell.
Education Boy, ridden by the only woman jockey in the race, Pam Clein. Hugely erratic performer, has been pulled up several times already this year and is well known for his tendency to refuse at some fences. Has had a good schooling, is technically accomplished and very experienced but lacks any credible support from punters, who dislike his wayward temperament. His jockey is even less popular, with the pair being effectively ostracised by other runners and riders. A free spirit who will go his own way unless he can be strictly disciplined. Wears blinkers. Victory for him would be very unpopular amongst his own racing fraternity. May even switch stables if he fails to romp home first here. Our advice: Only if you are desperate. 12-1.
Arch Hypocrite, ridden by Richard Kemp. Mean and gangly stallion, who once forged a doomed partnership with the notorious banned jockey, Sir Diddy. The only grey in the race, he is now returning from lucrative exile in the south where he has been out at stud and a show horse. Carries more baggage than any other rider in the race. His Boots are packed full of lead weights which will slow him down and prevent him surmounting many of the course hurdles. Has a habit of leaving a lot of shit behind him. Has never ridden the Liverpool race before. He also has a confusing tendency to look one way while running in another direction. Likes to preen himself in front of spectators in the paddock. Fond of loud whinnying, stamping his hooves, swishing his tail and flaring his nostrils, which has made him a favourite with impressionable punters. Backed by seasoned punters Sir Trevor Jones and Roger Johnson and may carry the backing of the establishment - he is the strongest rival to the Foolish Fireman. Our advice: Could go the distance - but don't give him any of your money, you won't get it back! 5-4
The Wavertree Lurch, ridden by C.Eldridge. Young rank outsider who may be persuaded to run if it looks as though the Fireman is faltering. Unknown quantity, unlikely to stay the course. Our advice: Waste of money. 250-1
With a world record £62million debt as prize money and a world wide television audience stretching as far as Anfield in the north and Speke in the south, this year's race is expected to attract tens of eager punters.
With famous hurdles such as The Standards Board of England and Wales, Capital of Culture and General Incompetence providing formidable tests, this year's race is sure to be packed with exciting thrills and spills.
But with the going officially classed as 'the worst ever', it will be no surprise if any of the current contenders ever pass the winning post.
So, without further ado, we present our exclusive and in-depth Liverpool Subculture guide to all the declared runners and riders. And some not so declared.
Foolish Fireman, ridden by W. Bradley. Last year's winner has suffered a remarkable lack of form and has never really showed the promise forecast by his trainer, S.Toreyteller. FF has unseated his young rider several times already this year, most notably warming up in the paddock in front of a global audience for the Mathew Street stakes. Jockey Bradley is now said to be prone to Perroni, as a result. Likewise, the Fireman has never really recovered from the Mathew St setback, despite trips abroad to Las Vegas and Cannes. Temperamental and likely to veer off course at the slightest opportunity. Has been noticed foaming at the mouth recently. Did not get on with stablemate The Harbarrowboy, who disappeared to sunnier climes after winning The Pay-off Stakes. The 10-year-old Fireman is badly handicapped. Likely to be put out to stud if he falls here. Our advice: May be worth a flutter for old times sake, if you have any money left once you have paid your council tax. 2-1
Flo Clueless. Dependable old nag. A familiar filly who is fast becoming a regular at this event. Once notably fleet of foot and able to literally dance around the course - she was a particular favourite at the Irish Centre sweepstakes - she has now become a bit of a plodder. According to most commentators, she was lucky to survive a stewards inquiry into the recent Irish meeting and somehow escaped censure, after being accused of trying to rig the race. An unspectacular performer, she is likely to finish the course without any unfortunate mishaps. However, she will struggle to succeed ahead of her younger rivals on this surface - she is more used to the richer European turf and is carrying extra weight. Her backers tend to over-rate her abilities and she has done little to impress in the last four years. Last time out, finished a long way behind the leaders. This is probably her last chance to be first past the winning post. Our advice: 100-1 outsider. Not a hope in hell.
Education Boy, ridden by the only woman jockey in the race, Pam Clein. Hugely erratic performer, has been pulled up several times already this year and is well known for his tendency to refuse at some fences. Has had a good schooling, is technically accomplished and very experienced but lacks any credible support from punters, who dislike his wayward temperament. His jockey is even less popular, with the pair being effectively ostracised by other runners and riders. A free spirit who will go his own way unless he can be strictly disciplined. Wears blinkers. Victory for him would be very unpopular amongst his own racing fraternity. May even switch stables if he fails to romp home first here. Our advice: Only if you are desperate. 12-1.
Arch Hypocrite, ridden by Richard Kemp. Mean and gangly stallion, who once forged a doomed partnership with the notorious banned jockey, Sir Diddy. The only grey in the race, he is now returning from lucrative exile in the south where he has been out at stud and a show horse. Carries more baggage than any other rider in the race. His Boots are packed full of lead weights which will slow him down and prevent him surmounting many of the course hurdles. Has a habit of leaving a lot of shit behind him. Has never ridden the Liverpool race before. He also has a confusing tendency to look one way while running in another direction. Likes to preen himself in front of spectators in the paddock. Fond of loud whinnying, stamping his hooves, swishing his tail and flaring his nostrils, which has made him a favourite with impressionable punters. Backed by seasoned punters Sir Trevor Jones and Roger Johnson and may carry the backing of the establishment - he is the strongest rival to the Foolish Fireman. Our advice: Could go the distance - but don't give him any of your money, you won't get it back! 5-4
The Wavertree Lurch, ridden by C.Eldridge. Young rank outsider who may be persuaded to run if it looks as though the Fireman is faltering. Unknown quantity, unlikely to stay the course. Our advice: Waste of money. 250-1
