Press Release

With comprehensive live coverage on BBC One and BBC Two, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Online and BBC HD viewers can catch every moment of the 2011 Grand National wherever they are.

The BBC's coverage of the 164th running of the world's most famous steeplechase will be presented by Clare Balding and Rishi Persad.

They are joined by Richard Pitman, Richard Dunwoody and Mick Fitzgerald reporting and providing analysis from the paddock.

Fans' favourite and Aintree regular, John Parrott, will again be teaming up with popular tipster, Gary Wiltshire. They will be bringing all the latest news from the betting ring over the three days.

The BBC's expert commentary team is led by Jim McGrath, who is joined by Ian Bartlett and Darren Owen for the big race.

This year, for the first time, Suzy Perry will be part of the team, showing viewers behind the scenes at the course and bringing them a taste of the atmosphere and colour of Aintree as well.

Live BBC television coverage from Aintree includes five races each day on Thursday 7 April and Friday 8 April on BBC Two and the BBC HD Channel. Coverage on both days begins at 1.45pm.

Saturday's Grand National programme on 9 April begins at 1.00pm on BBC One and BBC One HD Channel.

At bbc.co.uk/racing there will be live and on-demand video of BBC races (UK only), archive Aintree action, plus live text commentary on Grand National day.

The site will have a handy guide to all the National runners and riders, along with the popular online office sweepstake kit, and details of all the BBC coverage, which will be available for seven days to watch on the BBC iPlayer.

Up-to-the-minute racing results will be available throughout the meeting on both the website and mobile phones, as well as colour and chat from the course via Twitter at: #bbcgrandnational.

Radio 5 Live will bring a whole host of programmes to Liverpool in the run up to the big race

See here for the full schedule of 5 Live programming.

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