2002 Grand National
Encyclopedia
The 2002 Grand National (known as the Martell Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 155th official renewal of the world-famous Grand National
steeplechase
that took place at Aintree
near Liverpool
, England
, at 3:45pm BST on 6 April 2002.
The race was won by the eight-year-old 20/1 shot Bindaree
, ridden by Jim Culloty
and trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies
at Grange Hill Farm in Naunton
, Gloucestershire
, by 1¾ lengths from What's Up Boys (10/1) in a time of ten minutes, three seconds. The winner was bred by Noel King in County Down
, Northern Ireland
and was owned by Raymond Mould. The horse ran Mould's colours of green jacket and cap with white stars.
The field was limited to a maximum of forty competitors, with eleven completing the four mile, four furlong course. There were two equine fatalities during the race.
During the live television broadcast of the race on BBC One
, watched by 8.6 million people, rival network station ITV1
suffered its lowest ever viewing figures with just 300,000 people (a 3% market share) watching an ice hockey match at the same time. BBC Two
broadcast a Six Nations
rugby international, which retained 900,000 viewers at race time. 800,000 viewers watched a film on Channel 4
.
Blowing Wind was sent off as the 8/1 favourite with champion jockey Tony McCoy
in the saddle. The pair had been considered unfortunate in finishing a remounted third after being brought down in the previous year's National
. The favourite gave his backers a good run for their money and shared the lead with Bindaree until three fences from the finish when he was outpaced to come home in third place.
Ad Hoc was noticed as a good Spring horse when winning the Whitbread Gold Cup
the previous April and was ridden by 1999
winning jockey Paul Carberry
. Despite several jumping errors, the 10/1 joint-second favourite was lying a close fifth when brought down three fences from home by the falling David's Lad leaving many to regard him as the hard luck story of the race.
David's Lad was a former winner of the Irish Grand National
and was well supported to joint-second favourite on the back of the recent successes of Irish National winners and was ridden by Timmy Murphy
. The pair moved into the leading contingent early on the second circuit and was still going well in fourth place when falling at the third-last fence.
Paris Pike was the winner of the 2001 Scottish Grand National
just a week after that year's Grand National, and was partnered with the winning rider in the prior year's National, Richard Guest. His backers had little to cheer when the 10/1 partnership was severed at the first fence.
What's Up Boys came to prominence when winning the testing Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup but was also quickly picked up as the "housewives' choice" when the once-a-year betting public discovered he was a grey
and was bidding to be the first grey to win for over forty years. With Richard Johnson
in the saddle the pair went off as joint-second favourites at 10/1 and looked to have the race won when going three lengths clear at the elbow before being overtaken by Bindaree in the final hundred yards to finish second.
also recorded an on-course record turnover of £3 million and both they and bookmakers returned good profits from the defeat of the eight most popular horses.
Seven riders made their Grand national debut but their openings were all on outsiders, and none completed the course. Ben Hichott parted company with his mount at the first fence and never took part in the race again. Mark Bradburne also fell at the first while the other rookies were Paul Moloney, Marcus Foley, Barry Cash, Gerry Supple and Philip O'Brien.
Former winner Carl Llewellyn was the most experienced rider in the race, weighing out for a Grand National for the 12th time, though he too failed to complete the course on this occasion on leading contender Beau.
Second-placed jockey Richard Johnson said: "I was happy to get round for the first time but it was annoying to be caught on the line. He gave me a good ride and he'll be back next year. When I got after him we flew, but we gave the winner a lot of weight and you can't take anything away from my horse."
Tony McCoy, whose horse came home third, said: "I was a bit disappointed because after last year I thought he was the perfect National horse. He's such a good jumper and so intelligent, but looking back he was happier on the soft ground last year than he was this time round."
Noel Fehily, sixth on Celibate, said "It was a brilliant ride. He was foot-perfect and picking up at the Melling Road. I began to think something good was going to happen, then he got tired."
Streamstown's jockey John McNamara, who finished ninth, said: "He jumped around and gave me a brilliant feel and he even had to jump another horse after the Canal Turn
. He has run a blinder really on ground which was much too fast for him."
Norman Williamson, the last to complete the course on Mely Moss, said: "He ran a great race and gave me a brilliant ride. He would have finished about sixth but he fell near the finish and I had to remount."
with the racing on the Thursday and Friday being broadcast on BBC Two before the main Saturday event which was aired on BBC One. The BBC also broadcast a Grand National special edition of its sporting quiz show A Question of Sport
the evening before the race. This was immediately followed by a live race preview show, The Night Before the National, on BBC Two, presented by Clare Balding
from the pre-National gala dinner at St. George's Hall in Liverpool.
Coverage on race day itself began at 1:45pm BST and was presented by Sue Barker
with interviews and features by Balding, while Angus Loughran
followed the betting. It was the 43rd consecutive year the BBC broadcast the Grand National. John Hanmer formed part of the commentary team for the last time, along with Tony O'Hehir and Jim McGrath
, who called the horses home for the fifth year.
Richard Pitman
and Tony Dobbin
provided in-depth analysis of the race in a slow motion re-run offering views taken from cameras located inside the fences and some jockeys' caps as well as an aerial view. Dobbin stepped in at the last moment after Peter Scudamore
was overcome with emotion at the result, being the assistant trainer of the winner.
BBC Radio
covered the race for the 71st year, on the Saturday Sport on Five broadcast hosted by Mark Pougatch
and Cornelius Lysaght
. The radio commentary team was Ian Bartlett
, Peader Flanagan and Dave Smith, with Lee McKenzie calling the runners home for the first time.
Grand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
steeplechase
Steeplechase
Steeplechase may refer to:* Steeplechase, an event in horse racing* SteepleChase, a Danish jazz label* Steeplechase , a 1975 arcade game released by Atari...
that took place at Aintree
Aintree Racecourse
Aintree Racecourse is a racecourse in Aintree, Merseyside, England.It was served by Aintree Racecourse railway station until the station closed in the 1960s....
near Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, at 3:45pm BST on 6 April 2002.
The race was won by the eight-year-old 20/1 shot Bindaree
Bindaree
Bindaree is a racehorse who was the winner of the 2002 Grand National when ridden by Jim Culloty and the 2003 Welsh Grand National when partnered by Carl Llewellyn....
, ridden by Jim Culloty
Jim Culloty
Jim Culloty is a racehorse trainer and retired professional National Hunt jockey who won both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National in the same season....
and trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies
Nigel Twiston-Davies
Nigel Twiston-Davies is a British racehorse trainer specialising in National Hunt racing. He is based at stables at Naunton, Gloucestershire....
at Grange Hill Farm in Naunton
Naunton
Naunton is a village in Gloucestershire, England. It is situated in the Cotswolds, an area of outstanding natural beauty ; approximately 6 miles west of Stow-on-the-Wold and 12 miles east of Cheltenham....
, Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
, by 1¾ lengths from What's Up Boys (10/1) in a time of ten minutes, three seconds. The winner was bred by Noel King in County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and was owned by Raymond Mould. The horse ran Mould's colours of green jacket and cap with white stars.
The field was limited to a maximum of forty competitors, with eleven completing the four mile, four furlong course. There were two equine fatalities during the race.
During the live television broadcast of the race on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
, watched by 8.6 million people, rival network station ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
suffered its lowest ever viewing figures with just 300,000 people (a 3% market share) watching an ice hockey match at the same time. BBC Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
broadcast a Six Nations
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
rugby international, which retained 900,000 viewers at race time. 800,000 viewers watched a film on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
.
Leading contenders
The long-time ante-post favourite was Moor Lane but his price began to drift as possibility grew that the horse was so far down the handicap that it would not make the cut of forty runners. The other long-time ante-post favourite was Welsh Grand National winner Supreme Glory but the horse was withdrawn a few weeks before the race.Blowing Wind was sent off as the 8/1 favourite with champion jockey Tony McCoy
Tony McCoy
Anthony Peter McCoy OBE , commonly known as A. P. McCoy or Tony McCoy, is a Northern Irish horse racing jockey....
in the saddle. The pair had been considered unfortunate in finishing a remounted third after being brought down in the previous year's National
2001 Grand National
The 2001 Grand National was the 154th official renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 7 April 2001....
. The favourite gave his backers a good run for their money and shared the lead with Bindaree until three fences from the finish when he was outpaced to come home in third place.
Ad Hoc was noticed as a good Spring horse when winning the Whitbread Gold Cup
Bet365 Gold Cup
The Bet365 Gold Cup is a Grade 3 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of about 3 miles and 5½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-four fences to be jumped...
the previous April and was ridden by 1999
1999 Grand National
The 1999 Grand National was the 152nd official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 10 April 1999....
winning jockey Paul Carberry
Paul Carberry
Paul Carberry is an Irish National Hunt jockey.- Background :He was born on 9 February 1974. He hails from a racing family. He is the son of jockey Tommy Carberry, who was a famous National Hunt jockey in the 1960s and 1970s. His uncle is Arthur Moore, one of Ireland's leading National Hunt trainers...
. Despite several jumping errors, the 10/1 joint-second favourite was lying a close fifth when brought down three fences from home by the falling David's Lad leaving many to regard him as the hard luck story of the race.
David's Lad was a former winner of the Irish Grand National
Irish Grand National
The Irish Grand National is a National Hunt chase in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Fairyhouse over a distance of about 3 miles and 5 furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-four fences to be jumped...
and was well supported to joint-second favourite on the back of the recent successes of Irish National winners and was ridden by Timmy Murphy
Timmy Murphy
Timothy James Murphy , commonly known as Timmy Murphy, is a National Hunt jockey who overcame difficult personal problems to win the 2008 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse on the horse Comply or Die. He recorded his 1,000th winner at Taunton on 21 January 2010.- References :...
. The pair moved into the leading contingent early on the second circuit and was still going well in fourth place when falling at the third-last fence.
Paris Pike was the winner of the 2001 Scottish Grand National
Scottish Grand National
The Scottish Grand National is a Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Ayr, Scotland, over a distance of approximately 4 miles and 110 yards and 27 fences...
just a week after that year's Grand National, and was partnered with the winning rider in the prior year's National, Richard Guest. His backers had little to cheer when the 10/1 partnership was severed at the first fence.
What's Up Boys came to prominence when winning the testing Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup but was also quickly picked up as the "housewives' choice" when the once-a-year betting public discovered he was a grey
Gray (horse)
Gray or grey is a coat color of horses characterized by progressive silvering of the colored hairs of the coat. Most gray horses have black skin and dark eyes; unlike many depigmentation genes, gray does not affect skin or eye color Their adult hair coat is white, dappled, or white intermingled...
and was bidding to be the first grey to win for over forty years. With Richard Johnson
Richard Johnson (jockey)
Richard Johnson is an English National Hunt jockey.-Background:Johnson comes from a racing family with his father being an amateur jockey and his mother, Sue Johnson, a successful trainer.-Jockey career:...
in the saddle the pair went off as joint-second favourites at 10/1 and looked to have the race won when going three lengths clear at the elbow before being overtaken by Bindaree in the final hundred yards to finish second.
Finishing order
| Position | Number | Name | Rider | Age | Weight (st, lb) | Starting price | Distance |
| 1st | 21 | Bindaree Bindaree Bindaree is a racehorse who was the winner of the 2002 Grand National when ridden by Jim Culloty and the 2003 Welsh Grand National when partnered by Carl Llewellyn.... |
Jim Culloty Jim Culloty Jim Culloty is a racehorse trainer and retired professional National Hunt jockey who won both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National in the same season.... |
8 | 10-4 | 20/1 | Won by 1¾ lengths |
| 2nd | 4 | What's Up Boys | Richard Johnson Richard Johnson (jockey) Richard Johnson is an English National Hunt jockey.-Background:Johnson comes from a racing family with his father being an amateur jockey and his mother, Sue Johnson, a successful trainer.-Jockey career:... |
8 | 11-6 | 10/1 | 27 lengths |
| 3rd | 16 | Blowing Wind | Tony McCoy Tony McCoy Anthony Peter McCoy OBE , commonly known as A. P. McCoy or Tony McCoy, is a Northern Irish horse racing jockey.... |
9 | 10-6 | 10/1 | 9 lengths |
| 4th | 3 | Kingsmark | Ruby Walsh Ruby Walsh Ruby Walsh is the reigning Irish National Hunt champion jockey. He is the second child, and eldest son, of former champion amateur jockey Ted Walsh and his wife Helen.-Success:... |
9 | 11-9 | 16/1 | 17 lengths |
| 5th | 40 | Supreme Charm | Robert Thornton Robert Thornton (jockey) Robert "Choc" Thornton is an English National Hunt jockey currently employed as stable jockey to Alan King.... |
10 | 10-0 | 28/1 | 3½ lengths |
| 6th | 22 | Celibate | Noel Fehily | 11 | 10-3 | 66/1 | 3½ lengths |
| 7th | 13 | You're Agoodun | Johnny Kavanagh | 10 | 10-8 | 50/1 | 18 lengths |
| 8th | 14 | Royal Predica | Jimmy McCarthy | 8 | 10-8 | 80/1 | 28 lengths |
| 9th | 12 | Streamstown | John McNamara | 8 | 10-8 | 40/1 | 13 lengths |
| 10th | 34 | Birkdale | Jason Maguire Jason Maguire Jason Maguire , is a Irish horse racing jockey who won the 2011 Grand National on Ballabriggs.-Early life and career:Maguire is the nephew of another former jockey Adrian Maguire. He started out in Irish pony races and as he started his career rode his first winner, Search For Peace at Cheltenham... |
11 | 10-2 | 50/1 | A distance |
| 11th | 24 | Mely Moss | Norman Williamson Norman Williamson Norman Williamson is a professional jockey in the Irish National Hunt.- References :... |
11 | 10-2 | 25/1 | Last to complete |
Non-finishers
| Fence | Number | Name | Rider | Age | Weight (st, lb) | Starting price | Fate |
| 27th | 6 | Ad Hoc | Paul Carberry Paul Carberry Paul Carberry is an Irish National Hunt jockey.- Background :He was born on 9 February 1974. He hails from a racing family. He is the son of jockey Tommy Carberry, who was a famous National Hunt jockey in the 1960s and 1970s. His uncle is Arthur Moore, one of Ireland's leading National Hunt trainers... |
8 | 11-1 | 10/1 | Brought down |
| 8 | David's Lad | Timmy Murphy Timmy Murphy Timothy James Murphy , commonly known as Timmy Murphy, is a National Hunt jockey who overcame difficult personal problems to win the 2008 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse on the horse Comply or Die. He recorded his 1,000th winner at Taunton on 21 January 2010.- References :... |
9 | 11-1 | 10/1 | Fell | |
| 35 | Spot Thedifference | David Casey | 9 | 10-0 | 33/1 | Hampered, unseated rider | |
| 36 | Djeddah | Thierry Doumen | 11 | 10-0 | 66/1 | Fell | |
| 25th | 37 | Inis Cara | Brian Crowley | 10 | 10-0 | 66/1 | Tailed off, pulled up |
| 24th | 17 | The Last Fling | Richard McGrath | 12 | 10-6 | 40/1 | Fell (fatally) |
| 22nd (Becher's Brook Becher's Brook Becher's Brook is a fence jumped during the Grand National, a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. It is jumped twice during the race, as the sixth and 22nd fence, as well as on four other occasions during the year... ) |
10 | Majed | Barry Fenton | 6 | 10-11 | 66/1 | Fell |
| 20th | 32 | Ackzo | Dean Gallagher | 9 | 10-0 | 25/1 | Tailed off, pulled up |
| 20th | 5 | Lyreen Wonder | Barry Cash | 9 | 11-4 | 40/1 | Fell |
| 15 | Manx Magic | Gerry Supple | 9 | 10-7 | 100/1 | Fell (fatally) | |
| 18th | 20 | Super Franky | Philip O'Brien | 10 | 10-5 | 66/1 | Fell |
| 17th | 27 | Murt's Man | Andrew Thornton Andrew Thornton Andrew Thornton is a National Hunt jockey. He was born on October 28, 1972 in Cleveland and schooled at Barnard Castle School in County Durham. He rides mainly for Caroline Bailey,Seamus Mullins,Henrietta Knight,Ben Pollock and Richard Rowe.as well as for many other trainers. He is not related to... |
8 | 10-1 | 66/1 | Tailed off, pulled up |
| 14th | 7 | Beau | Carl Llewellyn | 9 | 11-1 | 11/1 | Unseated rider |
| 9th (Valentine's) | 26 | Smarty | Tom Scudamore Tom Scudamore Tom Scudamore is a third-generation British flat and steeplechase jockey. He is the son of eight-time champion jockey Peter Scudamore; his grandfather Michael won the Grand National on Oxo in 1959.-Background:... |
9 | 10-1 | 16/1 | Tailed off, pulled up |
| 7th (Foinavon) | 25 | Gun'n Roses II | Marcus Foley | 8 | 10-2 | 100/1 | Fell |
| 6th (Becher's Brook) | 2 | Alexander Banquet | Barry Geraghty Barry Geraghty Barry Geraghty is an Irish jockey.Geraghty rode his first winner in January 1997, three years later he became the Irish Champion jump jockey for the first time. He rode his first Cheltenham winner on the Jessica Harrington trained Moscow Flyer in the 2002 Arkle Chase.He won the Grand National in... |
9 | 11-11 | 22/1 | Unseated rider |
| 5th | 19 | Frantic Tan | Tom Jenks | 10 | 10-5 | 50/1 | Fell |
| 38 | Iris Bleu | Paul Moloney | 6 | 10-0 | 100/1 | Fell | |
| 4th | 28 | Niki Dee | Russ Garrity | 12 | 10-0 | 66/1 | Fell |
| 31 | Samuel Wilderspin | Tom Doyle | 10 | 10-0 | 14/1 | Fell | |
| 1st | 1 | Marlborough | Mick Fitzgerald Mick Fitzgerald Mick Fitzgerald is an Irish National Hunt jockey who rode mainly in Great Britain. He has ridden the winners of the Grand National, on Rough Quest in 1996, and the Cheltenham Gold Cup on See More Business in 1999. He was the stable jockey for Nicky Henderson and was leading jockey at the... |
10 | 11-12 | 20/1 | Fell |
| 9 | Paris Pike | Richard Guest | 10 | 10-13 | 10/1 | Fell | |
| 11 | Inn At The Top | Adie Smith | 10 | 10-8 | 40/1 | Fell | |
| 18 | Wicked Crack | Conor O'Dwyer | 9 | 10-5 | 33/1 | Fell | |
| 23 | Struggle's Glory | Ben Hitchott | 11 | 10-3 | 66/1 | Brought down | |
| 29 | Goguenard | Warren Marston | 8 | 10-0 | 66/1 | Fell | |
| 30 | Logician | Mark Bradburne | 11 | 10-0 | 80/1 | Brought down | |
| 33 | Red Ark | Kenny Johnson | 9 | 10-0 | 50/1 | Fell | |
| 39 | Carryonharry | Rupert Wakeley | 8 | 10-0 | 66/1 | Fell |
Aftermath
Winner Bindaree collected a prize of £290,000 for his owner Raymond Mould, while Aintree reported a record attendance in the modern era of 120,000 spectators over the meeting and 63,000 for the National itself. The ToteThe Tote
The Tote, formerly the Horserace Totalisator Board, is a British bookmaker with head offices in Wigan. It was owned from its formation in 1928 by the UK Government but was sold to Betfred in July 2011. Under the brand totesport the Tote has 514 high street betting shops, outlets on Britain's 60...
also recorded an on-course record turnover of £3 million and both they and bookmakers returned good profits from the defeat of the eight most popular horses.
Seven riders made their Grand national debut but their openings were all on outsiders, and none completed the course. Ben Hichott parted company with his mount at the first fence and never took part in the race again. Mark Bradburne also fell at the first while the other rookies were Paul Moloney, Marcus Foley, Barry Cash, Gerry Supple and Philip O'Brien.
Former winner Carl Llewellyn was the most experienced rider in the race, weighing out for a Grand National for the 12th time, though he too failed to complete the course on this occasion on leading contender Beau.
Quotes
Winning jockey Jim Culloty told the press after the race: "When the second horse came by us I thought, "Jesus, we're beat! But Bindaree's as brave as they come, he stuck his neck out and went down the rails. I couldn't in my wildest dreams ever think about winning the National. In an ideal world I would have wanted to up the tempo from three out, but with the loose horse I was having a nightmare. However, [Bindaree] got me out of jail at the last — he's a brilliant jumper."Second-placed jockey Richard Johnson said: "I was happy to get round for the first time but it was annoying to be caught on the line. He gave me a good ride and he'll be back next year. When I got after him we flew, but we gave the winner a lot of weight and you can't take anything away from my horse."
Tony McCoy, whose horse came home third, said: "I was a bit disappointed because after last year I thought he was the perfect National horse. He's such a good jumper and so intelligent, but looking back he was happier on the soft ground last year than he was this time round."
Noel Fehily, sixth on Celibate, said "It was a brilliant ride. He was foot-perfect and picking up at the Melling Road. I began to think something good was going to happen, then he got tired."
Streamstown's jockey John McNamara, who finished ninth, said: "He jumped around and gave me a brilliant feel and he even had to jump another horse after the Canal Turn
Canal Turn
The Canal Turn is a fence on Aintree Racecourse's National Course and thus is jumped during the Grand National steeplechase which is held annually at the racecourse near Liverpool, England....
. He has run a blinder really on ground which was much too fast for him."
Norman Williamson, the last to complete the course on Mely Moss, said: "He ran a great race and gave me a brilliant ride. He would have finished about sixth but he fell near the finish and I had to remount."
Coverage
All three days of the meeting were televised live in the United Kingdom by the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
with the racing on the Thursday and Friday being broadcast on BBC Two before the main Saturday event which was aired on BBC One. The BBC also broadcast a Grand National special edition of its sporting quiz show A Question of Sport
A Question of Sport
A Question of Sport is a long-running BBC quiz show which started on 2 December 1968 and continues to this day. It is currently recorded at The Studios, MediaCityUK...
the evening before the race. This was immediately followed by a live race preview show, The Night Before the National, on BBC Two, presented by Clare Balding
Clare Balding
Clare Balding is a BBC sports presenter, journalist and jockey.-Early life:In 1989 and 1990, Balding was a leading amateur flat jockey and Champion Lady Rider in 1990....
from the pre-National gala dinner at St. George's Hall in Liverpool.
Coverage on race day itself began at 1:45pm BST and was presented by Sue Barker
Sue Barker
Susan Barker, MBE is an English television presenter and former professional tennis player. During her tennis career, she won the women's singles title at the French Open and reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 3...
with interviews and features by Balding, while Angus Loughran
Angus Loughran
Angus Loughran is a British sports commentator and pundit. He appears regularly on television, newspapers and websites, usually concentrating on horse racing and football, such as the Daily Telegraph and online bookmaker Easyodds, writing tipping sections every day...
followed the betting. It was the 43rd consecutive year the BBC broadcast the Grand National. John Hanmer formed part of the commentary team for the last time, along with Tony O'Hehir and Jim McGrath
Jim McGrath (Australian commentator)
Jim Aloysius McGrath is the BBC's senior horse racing commentator. He was previously deputy race commentator, and sometimes a paddock commentator.-Career:...
, who called the horses home for the fifth year.
Richard Pitman
Richard Pitman
Richard Pitman, is a retired jump jockey who rode 470 winners in his career including Lanzarote in the 1974 Champion Hurdle). He also won the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park Racecourse twice, the Whitbread Gold Cup once and the Hennessy Gold Cup once....
and Tony Dobbin
Tony Dobbin
Tony Dobbin is a retired Northern Irish National Hunt jockey who rode mainly in Great Britain. He rode the winner of the Grand National on Lord Gyllene in 1997 and won over 1,200 races during his career in the saddle. He was the regular stable jockey for Nicky Richards...
provided in-depth analysis of the race in a slow motion re-run offering views taken from cameras located inside the fences and some jockeys' caps as well as an aerial view. Dobbin stepped in at the last moment after Peter Scudamore
Peter Scudamore
Peter Scudamore , known universally as 'Scu', is a former jockey and trainer in National Hunt racing. He was an eight-time Champion Jockey , riding 1,678 winners in his career...
was overcome with emotion at the result, being the assistant trainer of the winner.
BBC Radio
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. For a history of BBC radio prior to 1927 see British Broadcasting Company...
covered the race for the 71st year, on the Saturday Sport on Five broadcast hosted by Mark Pougatch
Mark Pougatch
Mark Pougatch is a freelance radio and television broadcaster, a journalist and author who works mainly as a sports presenter for the BBC.-Early life:...
and Cornelius Lysaght
Cornelius Lysaght
Cornelius Lysaght is the horse racing correspondent of the BBC, usually broadcasting on Radio 5 Live. He took up this position in June 2001, succeeding the late Peter Bromley, who had held the position since 1959....
. The radio commentary team was Ian Bartlett
Ian Bartlett
Ian Bartlett is a horse racing commentator and occasional analyst for the BBC.. He has also commentated for Channel 4 Racing.For the BBC's television coverage of the Grand National, Bartlett commentates on four sections of the 4½-mile steeplechase, from the 1st to 5th fence, 10th to 12th, 17th to...
, Peader Flanagan and Dave Smith, with Lee McKenzie calling the runners home for the first time.