Clare Balding will host Grandstand with Sue Barker

Angus Loughran, the BBC's betting expert, provides viewers with valuable pointers to the afternoon's racing.

BBC Radio Five Live will feature live coverage of 12 races over the course of the meeting.

And Sheila Fogarty will also be at Aintree on Friday with previews, news, interviews and features.

Live coverage of the afternoon's action will be featured in Sport On Five, live from Aintree's hallowed turf as Mark Pougatch makes his Grand National presenting debut and Peter Bromley his final National commentary.

Memorable commentaries

Peter commentated on his first Derby for the BBC in 1961 and has commentated on nearly 2000 Classic races.

After leaving the army, he began his career in racing as an assistant to trainer Frank Pullen and occasional amateur jockey - although this was curtailed by injury.

Peter Bromley was the BBC's first racing correspondent

He turned to racecourse commentary and worked as a freelance for both independent television and the BBC.

His first BBC Radio commentary was at Newmarket in 1959 and he soon became the BBC's Racing Correspondent - the first sports correspondent ever appointed by the BBC.

Among Peter's most memorable commentaries are Shergar's runaway victory in the 1981 Derby, Red Rum's third win in the 1977 Grand National and the emotional victory of Aldaniti and Bob Champion four years later, which reduced Peter and most of his listeners to tears.

Joining Peter will be Lee McKenzie, Cornelius Lysaght and Dave Smith.