BBC Lines Up For 2007 Grand National

With comprehensive live coverage on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Radio Five Live and the BBC Sport website, the BBC ensures that not a moment from the 2007 John Smith's Grand National will be missed.

The BBC's top team for the 160th running of the world's most famous steeplechase is once again led by Sue Barker and Clare Balding, who will introduce top quality racing action from Aintree.

Sue and Clare are joined by Richard Pitman, Peter Scudamore and Norman Williamson reporting and providing analysis from the paddock.

Brian Gleeson and special guest John Parrott will be out and about reporting from around the course, and Angus Loughran provides viewers the latest betting and form news.

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

Live BBC television coverage from Aintree includes five races each day on Thursday 12 April and Friday 13 April on BBC Two. Coverage on both days begins at 1.45pm.

Saturday's Grand National programme on 14 April begins at 1pm on BBC One. It will include live coverage of four races followed by the build up to the main race which will run at 4.15pm.

This year, the BBC will incorporate Aintree's two impressive new stands and new public areas in its coverage.

In addition the BBC's 55 camera operation includes "Rider-cams" on three jockeys, as well as cameras mounted on eight of the fences and, for the first time at the Grand National, a BBC cameraman will travel around the course using a Segway personal transporter.

There will also be a helicopter camera providing a unique bird's–eye view of the drama of the Grand National, which will enable viewers to see how the action unfolds at every fence.

The BBC's countdown to the 160th running of the world's most famous steeplechase begins on the Friday before the big race at 6pm on BBC Interactive.

This live special programme will be presented from Aintree by Sue Barker and Clare Balding who look ahead to one of the highlights of the sporting year.

The Grand National preview continues broadcasting on Interactive on a loop until the network showing at 11.35pm, on BBC Two.

Featuring some of the jockeys, trainers and owners who are hoping to write their name into the history books with victory, there is also a full check on the latest betting moves ahead of the big race, plus a look back at some of the most memorable moments over the years.

Mark Saggers hosts a big Five Live Sport preview, from Liverpool on the Friday before the race, live with the jockeys contesting the big race at Aintree.

On the Saturday, Mark hosts Five Live's coverage of all the top races, with live commentary on all three days from Aintree, culminating with the Grand National.

There will be previews and interviews in programmes across the Five Live schedule.

Racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght has the latest runners and riders, course news, and interviews with top names and Luke Harvey's breakfast bulletins will include top tips.

John Hunt heads up the commentary team of Dougie Fraser, Matthew Hill and Gary O'Brien.

The BBC Sport website, at bbc.co.uk/racing, provides everything you need to know about the big event, from coverage times and latest odds to top tips and a guide to the National runners and riders.

For the big day, visitors to the site can download the popular online office sweepstake kit.

The BBC Sport website will also be following all the action with up–to–the–minute live race reports, results and photo galleries.

On the BBC Liverpool website, bbc.co.uk/liverpool, there is a 360-degree virtual tour of Aintree featuring the new stand and public areas. In addition visitors to the site can take a trip around the course and get a jockey's eye–view with Rider-cam, plus all the latest travel and weather news.