The North Yorkshire racing town of Middleham has high hopes and expectations today when one of their own, Elaine and Karl Burke-trained Libertarian, will compete in arguably the world’s greatest flat race. Joe Willis reports.

IN the Richard III Hotel in Middleham market place, opinion is divided on when the town last had a classic winner.

Landlord Ken Ward thinks it was Mister Baileys which won the 2,000 Guineas. He can’t remember the year but knows it wasn’t recently.

Postman Colin Hawkes, who was recently bitten by the pub dog and nervously checks his ankles as he thinks, believes the win took place in the early 1990s.

Both men plan to have a few pounds on Libertarian and are more than hopeful of the horse’s chances.

After the horse won the Dante Stakes at York recently, it’s fair to say there has been a buzz about the town ahead of the Derby.

Middleham’s last classic winner was actually Mark Johnston-trained Attraction which won the 1,000 Guineas in 2004, but even so it’s been a while.

Indeed, a victory in today's (Saturday, June 1) Epsom Derby for the large and athletic three-year-old would be the first for a Northern-trained horse since Pretender won the race in 1869.

In 1945, Middleham horse Dante won the Derby but this was when the race was held at Newmarket.

Up at Spigot Lodge in the hills above Middleham where the Burkes’ yard is based, Libertarian is undergoing his last checks before he and a small team of four stable staff travel down to Surrey.

He’s a laid back horse which is handy as he’s been the centre of attention this week with a parade of visitors coming to wish him well.

Although staff at the yard knew he was talented, it was only when he won the Dante that everyone else cottoned to the fact that he was a good prospect.

Mr Burke shakes his head when asked if he and his wife are nervous ahead of the race.

“I would be more nervous if he wasn’t fit enough to do himself justice,” he says.

Up on Middleham Low Moor the trainer is watching some of his other horses be put through their paces. The weather is glorious and the view across the Dales is superb.

Mr Burke says he has tried not to think about his horse winning a race with a £1.25m prize money pot – but admits it has been difficult.

“I’m trying hard not to think about it but at the same time it’s not being unrealistic to think he could go really, really close.

“A win, second, third or fourth –anything else would be disappointment.”

So does he take any notice of the odds which had last night tumbled to 12-1 for his horse?

“I did when it was 100-1,” the trainer says with a smile.

If Libertarian wins today, there will be plenty of people who will wish they had shown the same early faith.

In the yard, assistant trainer, Shaun Johnson, who rides out with Libertarian every day, admits the race has created a lot of excitement among the small team.

“Everyone’s buzzing about it. It’s been a big team effort to get the horse to the race and everybody has been involved. It’s a special time.”

Does he think the horse can win?

“We’re not going for day out – we’re going to win,” he adds.

Back in the Richard the III the general consensus is that a win for Libertarian would be a historic event for the town – and an excellent excuse for a celebratory party.