2003 Grand National
Encyclopedia
The 2003 Grand National (known as the Martell Cognac Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 156th renewal of the world-famous Grand National
steeplechase
that took place at Aintree
at 3:45pm BST, on 5 April 2003.
The ten-year-old 16/1 shot Monty's Pass
, ridden by Barry Geraghty
and trained by Jimmy Mangan in Cork
, Ireland
, won the race by 12 lengths from the 2001 Welsh National
winner Supreme Glory (40/1) in a time of nine minutes, 21.7 seconds.
The field was limited to a maximum of 40 competitors, and 14 completed the four mile, four furlong course. There was one equine fatality during the race.
on 1 March and remained the most popular entrant with the public, going off as the 7/1 clear favourite, ridden by Ruby Walsh
who had previously won the race in 2000
. Shotgun Willy was always towards the rear of the field and began to lose touch with the leaders early on the second circuit, pulling up after making a mistake at the 21st fence.
Youllneverwalkalone won the Leopardstown Chase in January and then the William Hill Handicap Chase at Cheltenham
in March and was sent off as the 8/1 joint-second favourite in partnership with rider Conor O'Dwyer. The horse was naturally popular with punters on the Liverpool course due to links with Liverpool Football Club
whose anthem is the song of the same name, however the horse was at the back of the field when he suffered a leg injury at the 11th fence and was instantly pulled up. He was found to have broken a leg and, although he recovered, was never raced again.
Iris Bleu had fallen in the 2002 National
but had won the Thomas Pink Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in December and the Agfa Diamond Chase at Sandown in January to be backed to 8/1 on race day. Ridden by champion jockey Tony McCoy
, Iris Bleu made a series of mistakes and was pulled up lame before taking the water jump at the end of the first circuit.
Ad Hoc had been travelling well when brought down in the 2002 race, and was partnered by 1999
winning jockey Paul Carberry
; the pair went off at a price of 9/1 and almost fell at the first fence. Having recovered, they were making progress when Carberry was unseated at the 19th.
Chives had run prominently in several major races, including finishing second in the 2002 Welsh National
and seventh in the Cheltenham Gold Cup
and was sent off at 10/1 in company with 1998
winning rider Richard Guest but also disappointed with mistakes before suffering injury at the 11th fence where he was pulled up.
At 16/1, Monty's Pass was considered among the good each-way chances for the race and had been backed heavily on race day from 40/1 the day before after being tipped by several leading tipsters. Among those who predicted his victory were John Francome
in The Sun, Eddie Freemantle in The Observer
, Marten Julian in The Sunday Telegraph and Thunderer in The Times
while Pricewise in the Racing Post
tipped the horse to win two months before the race.
Some bookmakers offered stakes refunds to customers who backed the first fence faller The Bunny Boiler. William Hill
reported that they had to pay out £400,000 on two winning bets alone, claiming it was their worst hit in Grand National history.
In post-race interviews, winning trainer Jimmy Mangan said: "It's a thing you dream about. To have a winner is unreal." Jockey Barry Geraghty said of his ride: "He was like a cat. He jumped unbelieveable."
Both the vets and the doctors were busy after the race. Goguenard had to be euthanised when he was caught in a melee at the 19th fence. Youllneverwalkalone was taken to the Liverpool horse hospital when it was found he had broken a leg in running. The injury was repaired and the horse retired from racing. Iris Bleu pulled up lame, while Ballinclay King and Chives both broke blood vessels. All three horses made a full recovery. Four riders also required hospital treatment after the race. Gerry Supple suffered a broken leg, Alan Dempsey a broken wrist, Alan Crowley a broken collarbone and Timmy Murphy suffered concussion and a broken nose.
retained the rights to broadcast the race on television and radio for the 44th consecutive year, in accordance with the Ofcom Code on Sports and Other Listed and Designated Events
. The race was broadcast as a Grand National special edition of the regular Saturday television show Grandstand
, and involved three hours of build-up to the race through features on the principal contestants and the history of the race. The race itself was broadcast live and was followed by a detailed re-run using slow motion footage and additional camera angles not used in the original broadcast.
The show was presented by Clare Balding
and Sue Barker
while the commentary team was John Hanmer, Tony O'Heir and Jim McGrath
who called the winner home for the sixth year. It was the last time that Hanmer commentated on a Grand National, having covered the portion from the Melling Road to the fourth and from the Canal Turn to the Anchor Bridge crossing for thirty years.
In total 52 cameras were used to cover the event including three cameras placed inside jockeys' caps and four inside selected fences. Former Grand National riders Richard Pitman
and Peter Scudamore
also talked the viewers through an in-depth re-run of the race in slow motion.
In a new innovation the BBC introduced interactive services, which enabled UK viewers to access features such as a statistical predictor, archive footage of previous Nationals and a split-screen view of the race itself to enable viewers to watch the race from the air as well as the normal tracking cameras.
Racing UK
broadcast the race live into bookmakers' outlets throughout the country, though its camera angles were limited in comparison to the close-up coverage provided to BBC viewers.
BBC Radio
also broadcast commentary of the race live for the 71st time on its Sport on Five programme, presented by Mark Pougatch
and with Lee McKenzie calling the runners home. Also among the commentary team was Ian Bartlett
, who was to replace John Hanmer in the television commentary team the next year.
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....
at 3:45pm BST, on 5 April 2003.
The ten-year-old 16/1 shot Monty's Pass
Monty's Pass
Monty's Pass was the winner of the 2003 Grand National at Aintree, Liverpool when ridden by Barry Geraghty, trained by Jimmy Mangan and running in the colours of the Dee Racing Syndicate, a group of owners based in Donaghadee, Northern Ireland and led by Blackpool born bingo hall owner, Mike...
, ridden by 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...
and trained by Jimmy Mangan in Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, won the race by 12 lengths from the 2001 Welsh National
Welsh National
The Welsh National is a Grade 3 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Chepstow, Wales, over a distance of about 3 miles and 5½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped...
winner Supreme Glory (40/1) in a time of nine minutes, 21.7 seconds.
The field was limited to a maximum of 40 competitors, and 14 completed the four mile, four furlong course. There was one equine fatality during the race.
Leading contenders
Shotgun Willy became the favourite for the race after winning the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at HaydockHaydock Park Racecourse
Haydock Park Racecourse is a racecourse in Haydock, Merseyside, England. The track is a mostly flat left-handed oval of around 1 mile 5 furlongs with a very slight rise on the run-in. There are courses for flat racing and National Hunt racing...
on 1 March and remained the most popular entrant with the public, going off as the 7/1 clear favourite, ridden by 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:...
who had previously won the race in 2000
2000 Grand National
The 2000 Grand National was the 153rd official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree on 8 April 2000....
. Shotgun Willy was always towards the rear of the field and began to lose touch with the leaders early on the second circuit, pulling up after making a mistake at the 21st fence.
Youllneverwalkalone won the Leopardstown Chase in January and then the William Hill Handicap Chase at Cheltenham
Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham Racecourse is a racecourse for horse racing events, located at Prestbury Park, in the suburban village of Prestbury on the outskirts of the English town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire...
in March and was sent off as the 8/1 joint-second favourite in partnership with rider Conor O'Dwyer. The horse was naturally popular with punters on the Liverpool course due to links with Liverpool Football Club
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
whose anthem is the song of the same name, however the horse was at the back of the field when he suffered a leg injury at the 11th fence and was instantly pulled up. He was found to have broken a leg and, although he recovered, was never raced again.
Iris Bleu had fallen in the 2002 National
2002 Grand National
The 2002 Grand National 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....
but had won the Thomas Pink Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in December and the Agfa Diamond Chase at Sandown in January to be backed to 8/1 on race day. Ridden by 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....
, Iris Bleu made a series of mistakes and was pulled up lame before taking the water jump at the end of the first circuit.
Ad Hoc had been travelling well when brought down in the 2002 race, and was partnered 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...
; the pair went off at a price of 9/1 and almost fell at the first fence. Having recovered, they were making progress when Carberry was unseated at the 19th.
Chives had run prominently in several major races, including finishing second in the 2002 Welsh National
Welsh National
The Welsh National is a Grade 3 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Chepstow, Wales, over a distance of about 3 miles and 5½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped...
and seventh in the Cheltenham Gold Cup
Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in the United Kingdom which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles and 2½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped...
and was sent off at 10/1 in company with 1998
1998 Grand National
The 1998 Grand National was the 151st official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 4 April 1998....
winning rider Richard Guest but also disappointed with mistakes before suffering injury at the 11th fence where he was pulled up.
At 16/1, Monty's Pass was considered among the good each-way chances for the race and had been backed heavily on race day from 40/1 the day before after being tipped by several leading tipsters. Among those who predicted his victory were John Francome
John Francome
John Francome MBE is a former National Hunt Champion Jockey.Born in Swindon the son of a railway fireman, his family had no connection with the horse racing world. At sixteen years old he became apprentice to Lambourn trainer Fred Winter and so began his career as a jockey. He rode a total of...
in The Sun, Eddie Freemantle in The Observer
The Observer
The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
, Marten Julian in The Sunday Telegraph and Thunderer in The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
while Pricewise in the Racing Post
Racing Post
The Racing Post is a British daily horse racing, greyhound racing and sports betting newspaper, appearing in print form and online.From 30 May 2011 - 3 July 2011 it had a circulation of 56,507.-History:...
tipped the horse to win two months before the race.
Finishing order
| Position | Number | Name | Rider | Age | Weight (st, lb) | Starting price | Distance |
| 1st | 19 | Monty's Pass Monty's Pass Monty's Pass was the winner of the 2003 Grand National at Aintree, Liverpool when ridden by Barry Geraghty, trained by Jimmy Mangan and running in the colours of the Dee Racing Syndicate, a group of owners based in Donaghadee, Northern Ireland and led by Blackpool born bingo hall owner, Mike... |
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... |
10 | 10-7 | 16/1 | Won by 12 lengths |
| 2nd | 32 | Supreme Glory | Leighton Aspell | 10 | 10-2 | 40/1 | 2 lengths |
| 3rd | 21 | Amberleigh House Amberleigh House Amberleigh House was the horse that won the 2004 Grand National. He is now retired and living at the National Stud in Newmarket.-Staff:Amberleigh House was trained by legend Ginger McCain, and was usually ridden by jockey Graham Lee, amongst others... |
Graham Lee Graham Lee (jockey) Graham Lee is a successful Irish National Hunt jockey in Great Britain and Ireland. Prior to May 2006, he was the main stable jockey for Howard Johnson, but was replaced by Paddy Brennan, allegedly after a disagreement over his return from an injury. Lee became the main stable jockey and deputy... |
11 | 10-4 | 33/1 | 14 lengths |
| 4th | 30 | Gunner Welburn | Barry Fenton | 11 | 10-2 | 16/1 | 11 lengths |
| 5th | 23 | Montifault | Joe Tizzard | 8 | 10-4 | 33/1 | 1 length |
| 6th | 11 | 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.... |
Carl Llewellyn | 9 | 10-11 | 25/1 | 18 lengths |
| 7th | 10 | Carberry Cross | Liam Cooper | 9 | 10-12 | 25/1 | 6 lengths |
| 8th | 14 | Blowing Wind | 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:... |
10 | 10-9 | 20/1 | 7 lengths |
| 9th | 33 | Tremalt | 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... |
12 | 10-2 | 200/1 | 7 lengths |
| 10th | 1 | Behrajan | 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 | 11-12 | 22/1 | 9 lengths |
| 11th | 35 | Djeddah | Thiery Doumen | 12 | 10-1 | 66/1 | 8 lengths |
| 12th | 20 | Majed | Rodi Greene | 7 | 10-5 | 200/1 | A distance |
| 13th | 31 | Royal Predica | Jamie Moore Jamie Moore (jockey) Jamie Moore is an English National Hunt jockey. He is the brother of champion flat jockey Ryan Moore, and son of successful dual-purpose trainer Gary L. Moore.... |
9 | 10-2 | 33/1 | 26 lengths |
| 14th | 16 | Southern Star | Dominic Elsworth | 8 | 10-8 | 66/1 | Last to complete |
Non-finishers
| Fence | Number | Name | Rider | Age | Weight (st, lb) | Starting price | Fate |
| 26th | 25 | Cregg House | David Casey | 8 | 10-3 | 50/1 | Tailed off, refused |
| 17 | Red Striker | Larry McGrath | 9 | 10-8 | 50/1 | Unseated rider | |
| 28 | Torduff Express | 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 :... |
12 | 10-3 | 33/1 | Unseated rider | |
| 25th (Valentine's) | 27 | Mantle's Prince | Ollie McPhail | 9 | 10-3 | 200/1 | Unseated rider |
| 37 | Red Ark | Kenny Johnson | 10 | 10-0 | 100/1 | Pulled up | |
| 24th (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.... ) |
3 | Gingembre | 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... |
9 | 11-9 | 14/1 | Tailed off, pulled up |
| 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... ) |
40 | Empereur River | Mr. Patrick Paihes | 10 | 10-2 | 250/1 | Tailed off, pulled up |
| 4 | Shotgun Willy | 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 | 7/1 F | Tailed off, pulled up | |
| 36 | Burlu | Gerry Supple | 9 | 10-0 | 200/1 | Fell | |
| 39 | Killusty | 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... |
9 | 10-4 | 12/1 | Fell | |
| 19th (open ditch) | 26 | Good Shuil | Noel Fehily | 8 | 10-3 | 200/1 | Tailed off, pulled up |
| 29 | Goguenard | Warren Marston | 9 | 10-2 | 28/1 | Unseated rider | |
| 38 | Robbo | Alan Dempsey | 9 | 10-1 | 100/1 | Hampered by fallen horses, unseated rider | |
| 8 | 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... |
9 | 11-1 | 9/1 | Unseated rider | |
| 22 | Maximize | 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.... |
9 | 10-4 | 16/1 | Fell | |
| 15 | You're Agoodun | Robert Thornton Robert Thornton (jockey) Robert "Choc" Thornton is an English National Hunt jockey currently employed as stable jockey to Alan King.... |
11 | 10-9 | 50/1 | Hampered, unseated rider | |
| 16th (water jump) | 7 | Iris Bleu | Tony McCoy Tony McCoy Anthony Peter McCoy OBE , commonly known as A. P. McCoy or Tony McCoy, is a Northern Irish horse racing jockey.... |
7 | 11-3 | 8/1 | Pulled up |
| 15th (The Chair) | 16 | Katarino | 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... |
8 | 10-8 | 50/1 | Unseated rider |
| 9 | Ballinclay King | Davy Russell Davy Russell Davy Russell is an Irish jockey who competes in National Hunt racing. Russell's first win as a professional jockey was for English-based Irish trainer Ferdy Murphy on Inn Antique in a novice hurdle at Sedgefield, 12 November 2002... |
9 | 10-12 | 50/1 | Pulled up | |
| 13th | 12 | Youllneverwalkalone | Conor O'Dwyer | 9 | 10-11 | 8/1 | Pulled up |
| 12th (open ditch) | 5 | Chives | Richard Guest | 8 | 11-5 | 10/1 | Pulled up |
| 8th (Canal Turn) | 24 | Polar Champ | Daniel Howard | 10 | 10-4 | 200/1 | Unseated rider |
| 6th (Becher's Brook) | 5 | Fadalko | Seamus Durack | 10 | 11-7 | 100/1 | Unseated rider |
| 3rd (open ditch) | 34 | Wonder Weasel | John McNamara | 10 | 10-5 | 50/1 | Fell |
| 2nd | 41 | Bramblehill Duke | Brian Crowley | 11 | 10-2 | 200/1 | Fell |
| 1st | 13 | The Bunny Boiler | John Cullen | 9 | 10-10 | 50/1 | Unseated rider |
Aftermath
Winner Monty's Pass claimed a prize of £348,000, with £132,000 awarded to Supreme Glory in second, £66,000 for Amberleigh House in third, £30,000 for Gunner Welburn in fourth, £15,000 for Montifault in fifth, and £9,000 for sixth-placed Bindaree.Some bookmakers offered stakes refunds to customers who backed the first fence faller The Bunny Boiler. William Hill
William Hill (bookmaker)
William Hill plc is one of the largest bookmakers in the United Kingdom. Its headquarters is in the north London suburb of Wood Green and in Leeds, West Yorkshire. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.-History:...
reported that they had to pay out £400,000 on two winning bets alone, claiming it was their worst hit in Grand National history.
In post-race interviews, winning trainer Jimmy Mangan said: "It's a thing you dream about. To have a winner is unreal." Jockey Barry Geraghty said of his ride: "He was like a cat. He jumped unbelieveable."
Both the vets and the doctors were busy after the race. Goguenard had to be euthanised when he was caught in a melee at the 19th fence. Youllneverwalkalone was taken to the Liverpool horse hospital when it was found he had broken a leg in running. The injury was repaired and the horse retired from racing. Iris Bleu pulled up lame, while Ballinclay King and Chives both broke blood vessels. All three horses made a full recovery. Four riders also required hospital treatment after the race. Gerry Supple suffered a broken leg, Alan Dempsey a broken wrist, Alan Crowley a broken collarbone and Timmy Murphy suffered concussion and a broken nose.
Coverage
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...
retained the rights to broadcast the race on television and radio for the 44th consecutive year, in accordance with the Ofcom Code on Sports and Other Listed and Designated Events
Ofcom Code on Sports and Other Listed and Designated Events
The Ofcom Code on Sports and Other Listed & Designated Events is a series of regulations issued originally by the Independent Television Commission then by Ofcom when the latter assumed most of the ITC's responsibilities in 2003, which is designed to protect the availability of live coverage of...
. The race was broadcast as a Grand National special edition of the regular Saturday television show Grandstand
Grandstand (BBC)
Grandstand was a British television sport programme. Broadcast between 1958 and 2007, it was one of the BBC's longest running sports shows, alongside BBC Sports Personality of the Year.Its first presenter was Peter Dimmock...
, and involved three hours of build-up to the race through features on the principal contestants and the history of the race. The race itself was broadcast live and was followed by a detailed re-run using slow motion footage and additional camera angles not used in the original broadcast.
The show was 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....
and 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...
while the commentary team was John Hanmer, Tony O'Heir 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 winner home for the sixth year. It was the last time that Hanmer commentated on a Grand National, having covered the portion from the Melling Road to the fourth and from the Canal Turn to the Anchor Bridge crossing for thirty years.
In total 52 cameras were used to cover the event including three cameras placed inside jockeys' caps and four inside selected fences. Former Grand National riders 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 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...
also talked the viewers through an in-depth re-run of the race in slow motion.
In a new innovation the BBC introduced interactive services, which enabled UK viewers to access features such as a statistical predictor, archive footage of previous Nationals and a split-screen view of the race itself to enable viewers to watch the race from the air as well as the normal tracking cameras.
Racing UK
Racing UK
Racing UK Limited was launched as a subscription channel in 2004 with 30 racecourses as shareholders. As Racing UK grew several other business units and joint ventures were developed....
broadcast the race live into bookmakers' outlets throughout the country, though its camera angles were limited in comparison to the close-up coverage provided to BBC viewers.
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...
also broadcast commentary of the race live for the 71st time on its Sport on Five programme, presented 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 with Lee McKenzie calling the runners home. Also among the 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...
, who was to replace John Hanmer in the television commentary team the next year.