BBC announce first female Grand National commentator in 73 years as Sky Sports Racing host joins broadcast

THE BBC have made history after announcing the first female Grand National commentator in 73 years.

Gina Bryce, a top name at Sky Sports Racing, will join lead race caller John Hunt, Darren Owen and Gary O’Brien in Saturday’s big-race squad.

AFP

The Grand National returns at Aintree on Saturday[/caption]

PA

Racing anchor Gina Bryce will become the first woman to cover part of the Grand National race in 73 years[/caption]

PA

Bryce usually anchors much of the 5 Live racing coverage but will be making her debut as a commentator[/caption]

Bryce delivered her commentary debut when picking up the mic for the Randox Supporting Prostate Cancer UK Topham Chase on Friday.

She now take the third leg of the commentary from Aintree for BBC Radio 5 Live’s coverage of the world’s great steeplechase on Saturday.

British racing has never had a full-time professional female commentator.

While only ONE woman has ever taken on the job of calling the sport’s greatest race.

Former Aintree owner Mirabel Topham appointed herself and a group of friends to cover the 1952 Grand National.

Their amateurish effort was widely ridiculed, with eventual winner Teal named as a faller at the first fence.

And modern-day pioneer Bryce – who works as a 5 Live radio presenter – admitted nerves ahead of her big debut on the grandest stage.

The 42-year-old broadcaster is set to pick up comms at the Valentine’s Brook fence for four sections on Saturday at 4pm.

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Bryce said: “It’s fair to say I’m nervous but I’m also hugely excited. I never in a million years thought I would get an opportunity to do something like this. 

“I’m not commentating on a whole race and I’m not looking to take John Hunt’s job!

“I’m doing a section of the Grand National, telling the story of the race within four fences, and I’ll be doing that while surrounded by consummate experienced professionals.

“Storytelling is something we do on Five Live and I’m hoping I’ll be able to add something a little bit different.”

Bryce will hand over to seasoned-pro Hunt as the field crosses the Melling Road.

She will follow up her commentary by conducting interviews with the winning Grand National connections.

Hunt, who will take charge at the start and the stages up to and past the stands to the winning post, will hand over to the other three when the pack heads out to the country.

He is a much-loved and widely respected horse racing commentator across the industry.

The BBC caller returned to work for the broadcaster at Cheltenham in March after the tragic murder of his wife and two daughters.

Carol Hunt, 61, and daughters Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were killed in a horrific crossbow attack at their family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on July 9.

He picked up the mic again just days after being present in court to hear convicted murderer Kyle Clifford being sentenced to three whole-life sentences.