A major piece of broadcasting history will be made in this year’s Randox Grand National when Gina Bryce becomes the race’s first female commentator in 73 years.
The Racing Post reports that Bryce, a long-time member of Radio 5 Live’s racing team, will add another string to her bow when joining lead race caller John Hunt, Darren Owen and Gary O’Brien in the BBC’s big-race commentary squad.
The Sky Sports Racing presenter will deliver her debut Aintree commentary when picking up the microphone for this afternoon’s Randox Supporting Prostate Cancer UK Topham Chase, which features in a Radio 5 Sports Extra Aintree programme Bryce is also hosting.
Gina Bryce – history made on Saturday (Pic – At The Races)
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.
That unlikely pioneer was Aintree’s redoubtable former owner Mirabel Topham, who following a dispute with the BBC in 1952 appointed herself and a group of friends to do the job. Their amateurish effort was widely ridiculed, with eventual winner Teal named as a faller at the first fence.
Bryce, who will pick up the Grand National commentary at Valentine’s Brook before handing over to Hunt as the field crosses the Melling Road, 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 5 Live and I’m hoping I’ll be able to add something a little bit different.”
Bryce will follow up her commentary by conducting interviews with the winning Grand National connections.
She added: “I’ve sat at home for weeks, going over past runnings of Nationals and Tophams, 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.”
- www.racingpost.com
