Living legend of the world's greatest race

NATIONAL HERO: Tommy Elder, the oldest living jockey to have ridden in world's greatest steeplechase..

The 90-year-old, from Coxwold, is the oldest living jockey to have ridden in the great race.

And with this year's Aintree spectacular only two days away, all the old excitement is beginning to brew.

Elder, who turned to breeding racecorses after having ridden about 400 winners in a 14-year career, took part in five Grand Nationals.

And he has a tale to tell about each one.

His first National, he told the Evening Press, ended in unceremonious circumstances.

"I went over the first fence, but the horse didn't," he joked.

He explained that he was so nervous before that race that fellow jockey Tim Maloney asked him if he was okay.

"I'd kept going to the toilet because of butterflies," said Elder. "And Tim said he had a cure for such nerves. He fetched out a bottle of whisky, took a big swig and offered me some.

"I said that if I had a bit of that, I'd fall off. He said if he didn't drink half a bottle, he wouldn't get on!"

The falling feeling came back to Elder on two other National occasions, one of which denied him a real chance of victory.

"I was on Keen Blade, riding for Lord Roseberry, and I was in second place going towards the third last," he recalled.

"I picked a hole in the fence to try to get an advantage, but you should never do that, and we fell.

"Looking back, it was my fault we fell. And that was my chance of victory gone. But that's racing for you."

He did go clear in his two other Aintree Grand Nationals but on both occasions finished a long way down, while his last National was memorable for a completely different reason.

The big race was nearly called off as the jockeys - with Elder at the forefront - threatened to strike over car-parking charges.

"A lot of the jockeys had motored up to Liverpool, and Miriam Topham (Lady Topham, the then course owner) tried to charge us for car parking. But, of course, we refused - we were serving the public, weren't we," he explained.

"We moved our cars on to the road outside the entrance, but the police weren't happy and tried to clear us on.

"I said we weren't going to pay for parking and if they made us then none of us would ride. Even jockeys who had got the train up stood by us.

"I think the police had a word with Lady Topham and eventually we were allowed to move the cars back to the car park free of charge."

He added: "It's not as if jockeys back then earned a great deal. We got hardly anything. I mean, fancy riding round Aintree for just a fiver!

"Mind you, I would have ridden for nothing in those days."

Although he had little luck in the Aintree Nationals, Elder enjoyed victory in the Welsh and Scottish Nationals and also at Cheltenham in a glittering career that saw him twice finish runner-up in the National Hunt Jockeys' Championship.

"I would have won it one of those times but for a broken collar bone I suffered that May," he said. "I ended up losing the title by just three winners."

All that was might not have been, however, as Elder's career nearly ended before it began.

Riding on the Flat at Folkestone in 1928, his horse slipped, sending Elder crashing to the floor under 12 other runners.

"I broke three vertebrae and was in hospital for many months," he said.

"But I came back - and switched to National Hunt which is more dangerous."

His first victory was at Newbury in 1929, giving him a perfect 21st birthday present, and a few hundred more wins followed before his last race as a jockey in 1942.

The aforementioned broken bones in his back, along with a fractured skull caused in another fall, prevented him from fighting during the Second World War, but he did his bit on the farms.

Elder, who was born in Scotland but brought up in Kent, moved to Wales after being "bombed out" in the war, and then north to Coxwold in 1969, after his wife of 36 years, Elsie, died.

He was given the job of managing a stud for Major Lewis Gypal, and liked the area so much that he has never left.

He has never lost his love of racing and still enjoys a daily flutter.

But as for Saturday's Grand National card, he is keeping his thoughts about this year's big race confidential.

Guide to the Grand National runners

YOUNG KENNY

Fancied for this race ever since he won the Scottish and Midlands Grand Nationals last season. Proven stayer, best on soft ground but lumbered with top-weight. His 39-year-old jockey Brendan Powell bids to emulate his victory on Rhyme 'n' Reason in 1988. This is the first first trainer Peter Beaumont has had a runner in the National. No horse with 'Young' in its name has won the National, but Young Driver was second in 1986.

SUNY BAY

Second in 1997 and 1998, but only 13th last year and has shown little of his old ability in two outings this season. Jockey Chris Maude has a fine record over the National fences with two wins in the Becher Chase and one in the John Hughes Chase.

ESCARTEFIGUE

Smart out-and-out staying chaser in his prime. Peaked early in his career and appears unreliable nowadays.

DJEDDAH

Useful French chaser, fifth at Kempton last time out, who bids to take the prize to France for the first time since Harry Lamplugh won with Huntsman in 1862 and Cortolvin in 1867. Trainer Francois Doumen's previous two runners in the race fell.

BOBBYJO

Ended Ireland's 24-year wait for National success with a 10-length defeat of Blue Charm last season. Has raced solely over hurdles this term in preparation for his defence of the crown. Best on a sound surface, he is significantly higher in the weights as he bids to become the first repeat winner since Red Rum in 1974.

LISTEN TIMMY

Carries the hopes of owner Stan Clarke and jockey Tony Dobbin, who won with Lord Gyllene in 1997, but a first runner for trainer Alan King. In-and-out form since winning the John Hughes Chase over these fences last season. No relation to 1928 winner Tipperary Tim.

THE LAST FLING

Much-improved chaser, winner of three big races this season at Haydock, whose big fences are reckoned a good preparation for Aintree. First runner in the Grand National for trainer Sue Smith and her former showjumper husband Harvey. Jockey Seamus Durack was pulled up on his only previous ride in the race. No horse with 'The' in its name has won the National since The Soarer in 1896.

STORMY PASSAGE

Carries the colours made famous by West Tip, who won the National in 1986 and was placed in each of the next three years. That's where the similarities end as Stormy Passage is an inconsistent chaser with limited stamina. Philip Hobbs, trainer of Stormy Passage, saddled Samlee to finish third in the 1998 National.

RED MARAUDER

Returned from an injury lay-off to gain a stylish victory at Wetherby in February and might have been feeling the effects of that effort when sixth at Kempton next time - his first defeat over fences. Jockey Richard Guest, who temporarily retired two years ago and is now assistant to trainer Norman Mason, was second on Romany King in the 1992 National. Horses with the word 'Red' in their name have done well in the National, with victories by Red Alligator (1968) and Red Rum (1973, 1974 and 1977).

ADDINGTON BOY

Fourth in the race last year, he was officially retired in the autumn but showed so much zest with trainer Ferdy Murphy's sister in Ireland that he was returned to Middleham and ran an encouraging third at Kelso last month. Jockey Adrian Maguire has completed the course on each of his three previous National rides, finishing third on Moorcroft Boy in 1994. No horse with the word 'Boy' in its name has won the National.

BUCK ROGERS

Won three good races in Ireland in the first half of the season. Leased for the race by the Countryside Alliance. Buck Rogers is trainer Victor Bowens' first runner in the National.

NIKI DEE

Capable second-string horse for Young Kenny's trainer, second in the Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster in January. Jockey Robbie Supple finished fourth on Over The Road in the 1991 National.

LUZCADOU

Ex-French chaser who won twice for Micky Hammond at Ayr in the winter and was reportedly suffering from sore shins when below form at Haydock last time out.

PAPILLON

Placed in the Irish Grand National in 1997 and 1998, but has yet to show that sort of form this season. Trainer Ted Walsh's only previous National runner was Roc de Prince, well beaten in 1992.

SENOR EL BETRUTTI

Bold-jumping front-runner who won a string of good races in the late 1990s, the grey has looked light so far this term but his rider Carl Llewellyn won the 1992 National on Party Politics and two years ago on Earth Summit. The horse's name is Spanish for 'Mr Beetroot'.

STAR TRAVELLER

Leapt to the forefront of betting after finishing third in his warm-up race at Cheltenham last month. First Grand National runner for trainer Henry Daly, whose predecessor at Downton Hall stables Tim Forster won the National three times. Jockey Richard Johnson, bidding to complete the Cheltenham Gold Cup/Grand National double last achieved by John Burke in 1976, has never completed the first circuit in three previous rides in the National.

VILLAGE KING

Fair chaser with a good first-time-out record, though has found things tough in good company on his last two starts. Trainer Philip Hobbs saddled Samlee to finish third in the 1998 National. No horse with 'King' in its name has won the National, but Romany King was second in 1992.

CALL IT A DAY

Third in the National last year, since when trainer David Nicholson and jockey Richard Dunwoody have retired. Call It A Day, who has yet to sparkle for Alan King this term, will be the first ride in the National for Irish champion jockey-elect Barry Geraghty.

MICKO'S DREAM

Owned by a syndicate of Irish prison officers, his form has been arresting and he laid down the law to his rivals in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park with an emphatic win last time out. A first National runner for trainer Willie Mullins but jockey Jason Titley won the 1995 National on Royal Athlete, though he fell at the first 12 months later.

ESPRIT DE COTTE

Variable form since moving from France. Jumped less than impressively at Cheltenham last time. Trainer Nicky Henderson has been second with Zongalero (1979) and The Tsarevich (1987) and jockey Mick Fitzgerald went one better on Rough Quest in 1996.

SPARKY GAYLE

Blows hot and cold - mainly cold until a more encouraging second at Kelso last time out. Colin Parker's gelding bids for Scotland's second National victory, after Rubstic in 1979.

FEELS LIKE GOLD

Seems to reserve his best for this course, having finished fifth in last year's National and won the Becher Chase in November. Trainer Nicky Richards' late father Gordon won the race with Lucius (1978) and Hallo Dandy (1984).

KENDAL CAVALIER

Stamina-laden mudlark who has failed to reproduce the form he showed when winning the 1998 Welsh National at Chepstow, though he was seventh at Aintree last year under Saturday's jockey Barry Fenton. Trainer Toby Balding won the 1969 National with Highland Wedding and the 1989 National with Little Polveir.

LUCKY TOWN

Out of luck on the course of late and is without a win for two seasons - though placed on four of last five starts.

EARTHMOVER

Less slipshod a jumper than previously and finished third in the Welsh National last December, but well beaten at Uttoxeter last time out. Trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Joe Tizzard hope for better than last year when their major hope Double Thriller fell at the first.

HOLLYBANK BUCK

Useful Irish chaser who won the Eider Chase at Newcastle last season and looks to have been prepared with this race in mind by his shrewd trainer Tony Martin, who is always to be feared on his trips to Britain. Veteran jockey Peter Niven has finished no closer than sixth in five previous National efforts.

ROYAL PREDICA

Steps up markedly in distance after winning twice over two and a half miles. A dark horse from the multiple entry of champion trainer Martin Pipe, who won the 1994 National with Miinnehoma. Horses with 'Royal' in their name who have won the National: Royal Mail (1937), Royal Tan (1954) and Royal Athlete (1995).

KINGDOM OF SHADES

Looked good when winning at Cheltenham in January, but let down by his jumping since then. Trainer Venetia Williams' only previous National entry to complete the course was General Wolfe ,who finished 12th last year.

TRINITRO

Norway's first National challenger. Won the Norwegian Grand National at Ovrevoll last September. Trainer Rune Haugen is hoping for a top-10 finish.

TORDUFF EXPRESS

Dyed-in-the-wool stayer who takes plenty of time to get going. Has yet to find his form this season. Not an easy ride for Robert Thornton, who got round for the first time when 15th in the National on Strong Chairman last year.

THE GOPHER

Useful top-of-the-ground chaser who won at Market Rasen and Southwell in the summer. The Gopher is trainer David Wintle's first National runner. Jockey Warren Marston has completed the course on both his previous rides in the National, finishing ninth on Garrison Savannah in 1995 and 16th on Lusty Light a year later.

MELY MOSS

Not seen out since winning a hunter chase at Cheltenham last April, but showed he can handle these fences when second in the Foxhunter Chase here the previous month, and will have professional assistance this time.

DARK STRANGER

Will be the only winner at last month's Cheltenham Festival in Saturday's field, having landed the two and a half mile Mildmay of Flete Chase easily by seven lengths. Steps up considerably in distance this time, but still looks the first-string for champion trainer Martin Pipe, who won the 1994 National with Miinnehoma.

CHOISTY

Came to grief at Becher's Brook when racing from out of the handicap in each of the last two Nationals. Runs off his correct mark this time, showed his wellbeing by winning the Warwick National in January and trainer Ted Haynes is full of hope that he will finish in the money.

FORESTAL

An outsider without a win since early last season and running moderately at present, but trainer Howard Johnson's Over The Deel had credentials almost as weak when third at 100-1 in 1995.

FLAKED OATS

Jumps better nowadays. Fourth in the Welsh National at Chepstow and second in Uttoxeter's Midlands National this season. Proven stayer who acts on any going. Jockey Timmy Murphy has fallen at first Becher's in each of the last two Nationals.

ART PRINCE

Front-runner, winner three times early in the season, but off the track since November. Prone to jumping errors.

MERRY PEOPLE

Irish gelding who ran a blinder when 21lb out of the handicap and sent off at 200-1 in the National last year. Fell at the second-last fence and was remounted by Garrett Cotter to finish 16th. His jockey will be hoping for better luck on Saturday. His mount's form is no less inspiring this term than it was leading up to last year's race.

DRUID'S BROOK

Offered for sale at Doncaster last month but failed to reach his reserve. Ran his best race for a while when second in the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown last month - this will be a good deal more competitive. Trainer Kim Bailey, whose main hope Betty's Boy was fatally injured last weekend, won the National with Mr Frisk in 1990.

BRAVE HIGHLANDER

Tends to save his best for the Grand National and finished sixth from well out of the handicap last year. Owner Nick Embiricos and trainer Josh Gifford will forever be associated with emotional 1981 winner Aldaniti.

EVEN FLOW

Set to bypass the National, in favour of a tilt at the John Hughes Chase on Friday. Trainer Terry Casey won with Rough Quest in 1996.

CAMELOT KNIGHT

This 14-year-old would set a modern-day record if able to defy his years and land the National. Though he finished third at 100-1 three years ago, he has shown little this term and looks most unlikely to add to trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies' win with Earth Summit in 1998.

CELTIC GIANT

Defied the odds with a 20-1 win at the Cheltenham Festival last year but out of form since. Trained in Carrutherstown by Len Lungo, he bids for only Scotland's second National victory, after Rubstic in 1979.

MOUNTAIN PATH

Bought out of Nicky Henderson's stable for 5,000 guineas at Doncaster last week and will be pitched straight into the National by his new trainer Terry Caldwell. Which will be a tough task, judged on the 10-year-old's modest efforts since his victory at Huntingdon in January.

CAVALERO

Won the Martell Fox Hunters' Chase over these fences in 1998 and completed a notable double by landing the prestigious Christies Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham last month. Pulled up in the National last year but trainer John Manners did better with Killeshin, who finished seventh in 1997 and sixth in 1998.

OVERFLOWING RIVER

Won a hunter chase last month at Sedgefield, owner/trainer John Wade's local course. Stays very well but faces a much stiffer task here. Unlikely to become the first horse with 'River' in its name to win the National.

CARIBOO GOLD

Runner-up in a point-to-point and a hunter chase to date this term, hardly ideal preparation. If he defied the odds he would be the first horse with 'Gold' in its name to win the National since Golden Miller won in 1934.

RYHANE

Useful Irish chaser at his best, winner of a Grade Two event at Navan last season. Without a win in seven starts this term - unlikely to break his duck on Saturday.

RIVER UNSHION

Should stay the trip and acts on any going. But is a modest chaser who ran poorly last time and is out of the handicap here. Not ideal credentials!

FULL OF OATS

Fair stayer in his prime, now 14 and showing the effects of age in his races to date this term.

ANOTHER EXCUSE

No excuse for backing this Irish chaser, who has deteriorated markedly since he won the Midlands Grand National in 1996 and has not won another race.

BACK BAR

Carries the hopes of Red Rum's trainer Ginger McCain but the magic failed to rub off on him last year when he finished 14th. No obvious reason why he should do any better this time.

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