Sedge the Field Mouse, mascot of Sedgefield Racecourse, will be taking part in the 4th British Mascot Grand National at Huntingdon Racecourse, Cambridgeshire, on Sunday.
Last year's race, the largest gathering of mascots in one place in the world, saw runaway winner Freddie The Fox disqualified after being unmasked as Olympic athlete Matthew Douglas.
Jim Allen, general manager at Sedgefield Racecourse, said, "Sedgie, as he is known to his mates, has been training extremely hard this year and has even cut down on his cheese. He is going to win me that cup."
Sedge The Field Mouse, sponsored by Barriers International, will be running in his first British Mascot Grand National.
Probably the widest and fattest competitor in this year's race, Sedge's main problems will be his ears, which span 4ft.
This year about 100 mascots are expected to gather at Huntingdon for the big race, including the first runner from the US - Thunderbug, from the Tampa Bay Ice Hockey Team. The race is being televised live on BBC Grandstand at 12.30pm.
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