throughout and pulled clear of the remainder of the field with three fences left to jump to enter a match with Earth Summit. The grey was unable to respond when his rival quickened into the final flight and was unable to get back on terms before being eased up in the final hundred yards to finish 11 lengths down in second. Other contestants that attracted attention on race day were Challenger Du Luc, 1996 Sun Alliance Chase winner Nahthen Lad (who had finished ninth in last year's National), Banjo, Dun Belle and St. Mellion Fairway, who finished fourth at 20/1. Of the nine riders making their debut in the race only experienced French rider Thiery Doumen was seriously considered on Ciel de Brion, however it was Ken Whelan who took the debut honours as the only one of the nine to complete the course, finishing fifth. There were also debut rides for Richard McGrath, Seamus Durack and Rupert Wakeley while the remaining four riders all experienced their only Grand National ride. Future racing trainers Tom Dascombe and John Supple, amateur rider Gordon Shenkin and troubled Australian champion rider Jamie Evans all departed on the first circuit. Finishing order Non-finishers Stormtracker was withdrawn the day before the race as he was unsuited to the softening ground. Avro Anson was withdrawn on the morning of the race also due to the unsuitability of the conditions. Media coverage and aftermath The BBC retained the rights to broadcast the entire three-day meeting live for the 39th consecutive year, with the racing on the Thursday and Friday being broadcast on BBC Two while the Saturday was broadcast as part of a Grandstand special on BBC One, presented by Des Lynam. Richard Pitman and Peter Scudamore provided in-depth analysis of all the races on the card with a detailed preview and re-run of the National itself. Future anchor presenter Clare Balding interviewed the connections of the runners before the race in the parade ring. Among the several cameras used for the race was a camera set inside the cap of rider Richard Johnson. The jockey cam, as it was called, became a regular feature in years to come but in this year hopes of unique pictures of the race were dashed when Johnson fell from his mount at the first fence. This was to be the first National of the television era where the winner would