Millions of punters around the world will be cheering on the runners and riders in the Grand National this year. But one man has seen it all before. MARK FOSTER reports

WHEN they are under starter's orders at Aintree this afternoon, few people will be as glued to the box as appropriately-named racing veteran Tommy Elder.

When it comes to the Grand National he is the real elder statesman of the sport - as the oldest living jockey to have taken part.

Now 91, he lives in happy and healthy retirement at Coxwold, near Easingwold, North Yorkshire, after an action-packed life in which he also raced cars at the Brooklands circuit.

He took part in the National five times during his pre-war racing career and, although he was never first past the post, he enjoyed success elsewhere.

And before he gave it up to go into farming, he had ridden more than 480 winners, including the 1939 Scottish Grand National and the Welsh National.

"I think it was 1935 when I rode my first National and another jockey asked me if I had the wind up, to which I said 'yes'," recalled Tommy.

"He pulled out half-a-bottle of brandy and I had a swig. If I hadn't I'm sure I would have dropped off my horse."

Born in Kent, Tommy began riding as a youngster, taking beer, bread and cheese to the labourers as they brought in the harvest at his uncle's farm.

His grandfather encouraged him to take up racing professionally, and after joining trainer Sid Mercer at Newmarket, he was soon riding winners.

"My first winner over the sticks was at Newbury on my 21st birthday. It was a birthday present which I will never forget," he remembered.

"We didn't even get travelling expenses for going to the racecourses in those days - and at that time we could only win three guineas or five guineas."

Tommy also developed an amateur passion for fast cars and raced for Alfa Romeo at Brooklands.

His time on the turf also meant that Tommy became familiar with hospitals, and he reckons his injuries cost him the title of champion jockey.

Those injuries, including two fractures of the spine, also ruled him out of active service in the Second World War. He bought a farm, eventually in Wales. But when his wife, Elsie, died more than 30 years ago he was asked to take temporary charge of a stud at Coxwold and has been there ever since.

This year, he says: "I'll be watching every second on the TV. I don't usually bet on the race because it can be anybody's race, but this time I'll be having an each-way on Addington Boy. He's a hell of a jumper."