Gina Bryce says she is ‘nervous’ but ‘hugely excited’ to make history this weekend by becoming the first female in modern times to commentate live from the Grand National.
A long-time member of BBC Radio 5 Live’s racing team, Bryce will be on duty for the third leg – covering proceedings between Valentine’s Brook and the Melling Road – before John Hunt takes over the reins for the iconic spectacle’s climax.
Bryce and Hunt are joined by Darren Owen and Gary O’Brien in the BBC’s commentary box for the main event at Aintree.
The last woman to commentate from a Grand National was the former owner of Aintree Racecourse, Mirabel Topham, who appointed herself and some close friends to do the job after a copyright dispute with the BBC in 1952.
‘It’s fair to say I’m nervous but I’m also hugely excited,’ Bryce said.
‘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 5 Live and I’m hoping I’ll be able to add something a little bit different
Once the race is complete, Bryce will interview the triumphant Grand National connections.
Grand National 2025 confirmed runners and riders
Horse (Nationality) Owner – Jockey
Some jockeys are yet to be confirmed.
Duffle Coat (IRE) Gordon Elliott
I Am Maximus (FR) Willie Mullins – Paul Townend
Royale Pagaille (FR) Venetia Williams – Charlie Deutsch
Nick Rockett (IRE) Willie Mullins –
Grangeclare West (IRE) Willie Mullins
Hewick (IRE) John Joseph Hanlan – Gavin Sheehan
Minella Indo (IRE) Henry de Bromhead
Appreciate It (IRE) Willie Mullins
Minella Cocooner (IRE) Willie Mullins – Jonathan Burke
Conflated (IRE) Gordon Elliott
Stumptown (IRE) Gavin Cromwell – Keith Donoghue
Hitman (FR) Paul Nicholls – Freddie Gingell
Beauport (IRE) Nigel Twiston-Davies – Sam Twiston-Davies
Bravemansgame (FR) Paul Nicholls – James Reveley
Chantry House (IRE) Nicky Henderson
Threeunderthrufive (IRE) Paul Nicholls – Harry Skelton
Perceval Legallois (FR) Gavin Cromwell IRE
Kandoo Kid (FR) Paul Nicholls – Harry Cobden
Iroko (FR) Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero – Jonjo O’Neill
Intense Raffles (FR) Tom Gibney IRE – JJ Slevin
Senior Chief (GB) Henry de Bromhead IRE
Idas Boy (IRE) Richard Phillips – Harry Bannister
Fil Dor (FR) Gordon Elliott IRE
Broadway Boy (IRE) Nigel Twiston-Davies – Tom Bellamy
Coko Beach (FR) Gordon Elliott IRE
Stay Away Fay (IRE) Paul Nicholls
Meetingofthewaters (IRE) Willie Mullins IRE
Monbeg Genius (IRE) Jonjo & AJ O’Neill
Vanillier (FR) Gavin Cromwell –
Horantzau d’Airy (FR) Michael Keady – Ciaran Gethings
Hyland (FR) Nicky Henderson – Nico De Boinville
Celebre D’Allen (FR) Philip Hobbs and Johnson White – Michael Nolan
Three Card Brag (IRE) Gordon Elliott – Sean Bowen
Twig (GB) Ben Pauling
‘I’ve sat at home for weeks, going over past runnings of Nationals and Tophams,’ she added.
‘But commentating on a race using a screen is very different to being out in the country on a scaffold.
‘I just hope I can stay as calm as possible and do the race justice.’
The 41-year-old, who has also worked at Cheltenham, Derby and Epsom, was taken aback when first approached to provide commentary at Aintree – an opportunity simply too good to turn down.
She continued: ‘When I was first asked, it blindsided me a bit to be honest, but I had a think about it and I asked myself: “When will I ever get another opportunity to be out on the gantry commentating on a race like the National?”
‘It’s as good an opportunity as you’ll get, as someone else is shaping the race before handing it over to me.
‘I couldn’t be in better hands, as I’ll take over from Darren Owen and Gary O’Brien before passing it on to John Hunt.
‘It’s not unprecedented either, in that leading broadcasters on 5 Live such as Cornelius Lysaght have done the same leg before.’
Who is the favourite to win the Grand National?
Iroko and Stumptown are currently the two favourites to come out on top at the Grand National at the time of writing.
Both are available at 9/1, with I Am Maximus just behind at 10/1.
Be sure to check out insider tips from the likes of AP McCoy and JP McManus here on Metro.
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