It's a madcap event that attracts a worldwide TV and online audience, and 2008 promises more of the same chaos as 75 mascots from across the country run, walk, stagger and stumble over obstacles on a gruelling one-furlong - 220 yards - course.

There's been mayhem, controversy, accusations of gamesmanship, and claims of 'ringers' over the years since this crazy race began in 1999, but strict rules now ensure good clean fun.

Last year's winner Wacky Macky Bear from Saffron Walden FC will be going for two victories in a row.

Arsenal star Theo Walcott has been promoting the 10th John Smith's Mascot Grand National in his capacity as ambassador for the event's official charity - the Willow Foundation which provides special days for seriously ill 16 to 40-year-olds.

The foundation, created by former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson OBE and his wife Megs after their daughter died of cancer aged 31, will be the beneficiary of fund raising.

For Sophie Hodgkinson, it's her first Mascot Grand National as the new managing director of the racecourse.

She said: "The Mascot Grand National has grown in popularity year after year.
And we're delighted to welcome back as sponsors - John Smith's, the sponsors of the Grand National at Aintree - as well as everyone from the Willow Foundation."

The John Smith's Mascot Grand National kicks off an afternoon of jump racing at the Cambridgeshire racecourse.

MASCOT GRAND NATIONAL HISTORY

1999: The Mascot Grand National was born as 17 mascots took part in one of the most unusual sights ever seen on a racecourse. Beau Brummie Bulldog, of Birmingham City FC, won.

2000: Word spread, and 49 mascots lined up, with Watford FC's Harry the Hornet stinging the bookmakers in a flying finish.

2001: Controversy as Freddie the Fox was first past the post, but turned out to be an Olympic athlete. Uproar ensued, and Dazzler the Lion (Rushden & Diamonds
FC) roared as he was proclaimed the new winner.

2002: Chaddy the Owl (Oldham Athletic FC) flew to victory amidst claims that he was another 'ringer'. The accusations were unfounded - it had been Chaddy's vigorous training routine that enabled him to wing it.

2003: For the second year Chaddy the Owl was crowned victor, but only after several rivals were distracted by a female streaker. An attempted £10,000 betting coup using a Commonwealth Games gold medallist as Sedge the Field Mouse failed when one of the rodent's feet fell off.

2004: The year of Graham the Gorilla, the mascot of local football club Finedon Volta FC, who sent the crowd bananas.

2005: The bookies expected Chaddy and Graham to dominate, but the Sun newspaper's Scoop 6 Squirrel drove everyone nuts with a stunning turn of foot.

2006: Football charity Kick 4 Life's mascot Mickey The Monkey proved he was the business despite an attempted 'rugby' tackle on him in the closing stages.
Sammy Saint was second for the second year.

2007: Wacky Macky Bear saw off the 2006 winner Mickey the Monkey to win for Saffron Walden FC on his Grand National debut.


RACECOURSE ADMISSION DETAILS

Admission on Sunday 5 October: Main Enclosure £15, Picnic Enclosure £8.
Accompanied children under 16 - free.

Parking: Free.

Times: Gates open at 12.10pm. John Smith's Mascot Grand National at 1.10pm.
First horse race 2.10pm.

Contact information: telephone 01480 453373 or email mascot.huntingdon@jockeyclubracecourses.com

Web sites:
www.huntingdon-racecourse.co.uk
www.themascotgrandnational.co.uk
www.johnsmiths.co.uk
www.willowfoundation.org.uk

Full list of the 75 runners in the 2008 race

London

Tommy the Thamesmead Toad - Thamesmead Town FC Alice the Eagle - Crystal Palace FC Pete the Eagle - Crystal Palace FC Floyd - Charlton Athletic FC Theo the Wyvern - Leyton Orient FC Zampa the Lion - Millwall FC Spark - QPR FC Haydon the Womble - AFC Wimbledon Mr Bumble - Barnet FC

Cambridgeshire

Peter Burrow - Peterborough United FC
Hugo the Hound - Huntingdon Racecourse
Marvin the Moose - Cambridge United FC
Spike - Cambridgeshire County Council Road Safety Team Lily the Panda - Cambridge City FC Funky Monkey - Ramsey Leisure Centre Matchy - Match Magazine Dr Croc - St Neots Leisure Centre Histon Hound - Histon FC Homer the Greyhound - Peterborough Retired Greyhounds Hugo the Hunts Post - Hunts Post Krazy Kat - Sawtry Leisure Centre Leo the Lion - Huntingdon Leisure Centre Pumkin - Wood Green Animal Shelter

Norfolk

Splat the Cat - Norwich and Peterborough Building Society Captain Canary - Norwich City FC

Northamptonshire

Clarence the Dragon - Northampton Town FC Champ the Lion - Kettering Town FC Bernie - Northampton Saints RLFC Corby Star - Stagecoach East

Home Counties

Harry the Hornet - Watford FC
Elvis J Eel - Southend United FC
Sammy the Shrimp - Southend United FC
Pucky - Milton Keynes Lightning Ice Hockey Club Wacky Macky Bear - Saffron Walden Town FC Kingsley Royal - Kingsley Royal Reading FC Barty Boar - Runaway Success Gully Mouse - Gullivers Land Barnie the Bear - The Children's Trust Tadworth the Hound - The Children's Trust Digger the Dog - Dagenham and Redbridge FC Pippa Pups Club Puppy - Guide Dogs for the Blind

East Midlands

Sammy the Stag - Mansfield Town FC
Poacher the Imp - Lincoln City FC
Mrs Poacher - Lincoln City FC
Scunny Bunny - Scunthorpe United FC
Solly - Special Olympics Leicester
Polly Phil - Anglian Water

West Midlands

Bobby the Buck - AFC Telford United
Whaddney the Robin - Cheltenham Town FC
Bertie Bassett - Cadbury
Thread Bear - Sunfield Children

North and Scotland

Donny the White Knight - Doncaster Knights Rugby Club Captain Blade - Sheffield United FC Sedge the Field Mouse - Sedgefield Racecourse Tricky Cat - Northwich Victoria FC Waddie - Waddie & Co City Gent - Bradford City FC

West & South West

Grecian the Lion - Exeter City FC
Scrumpy - Bristol City FC
Pilgrim Pete - Plymouth Argyle FC
Rockin' Robin - Swindon Town FC
Wildcat Willie - Swindon Wildcats Ice Hockey Stormy Stan - RNLI Cyril the Squirrel - St Ives Leisure Centre

Wales

Spytty the Dog - Newport County AFC
Bartley Bluebird - Cardiff City FC

South

Homer the Greyhound - Sittingbourne Retired Greyhounds Ollie the Otter - Southern Water Stokie the Dragon - Basingstoke Town FC Howie the Hornet - Horsham FC Cherry Bear - AFC Bournemouth Blaze Bear - Fire Service National Benevolent Fund

Overseas

The Chilean Hass Avocado Man - The Chilean Hass Avocado Association

Others

The Jaffa Orange Man - Jaffa
Bongo the Monkey - Bongo