THIRTY years ago I can remember very well where I was on Grand National day. It was my first year to miss being at Aintree for some time, and I have been at almost every National since.

At about 3.36pm I was shouting the house down as I cheered Rhyme ‘N’ Reason to victory in the Seagram-sponsored race, which carried a first prize of £68,740 – compared with the £500,000 pot on offer for the winner today. Why the shouting and screaming which upset my then eight-week-old son Tim?