ITV has released details of its coverage for this year’s Randox Grand National at Aintree.
ITV Racing will be at the course from Thursday 13th, with shows on ITV1, STV and the daily Opening Show on ITV4.
All coverage will be simulcast on ITVX.
This year, the production team will use state-of-the-art equipment including a camera that swings high above the parade ring, trackers following the horses, a wire cam along the home straight and a drone.
“It’s such an exciting time on Merseyside with their sporting and cultural prowess and even the Eurovision Song Contest on its way!” said presenter, Ed Chamberlin.
“Plus the event of which the people are so proud: the Randox Grand National. There is no other sporting event like it.”
Chamberlain will be joined by experts including Ruby Walsh, Sir Anthony McCoy and Mick Fitzgerald. Rishi Persad, Alice Plunkett, Adele Mulrennan and Matt Chapman will interview jockeys post race. Lucky Harvey and Brian Gleeson will be in the betting ring. Chris Hughes will be on course, while Oli Bell will interact with viewers through its “social stable” as well as presenting the Opening Show.
“We have three brilliant Opening Shows across the week, each day with jockey guests, such as Harry Cobden on Friday, and culminating in a 90 minute special show on Saturday,” explained Bell.
“Sir Anthony McCoy and Ruby Walsh will join us in the studio to preview the big race and Mick Fitzgerald and Tom Scudamore will take viewers on a tour of the iconic Aintree course.”
Lorraine’s Mark Heyes and GMB’s Charlotte Hawkins also join the team on ‘Ladies Day’ on Friday to look at everything the racecourse has to offer away from the racing.
The race commentators will be Richard Hoiles, Mark Johnson and Stewart Machin.
