Millions of TV viewers may feel there is something missing when they settle down to watch the Grand National on Saturday.

Because, for the first time in 50 years, Sir Peter O'Sullevan will not be commentating on the race.

But while we might miss him, he is certainly not going to miss putting the microphone to his lips. "No, no, absolutely not," he says.

"I think it's going to feel very different, I'm not going to feel any tension, which is very very unusual, so I shall get all the adrenalin without the anxiety."

Reflex action

Peter O'Sullevan will be bringing his wife for the first time in 50 years (Dur 0'42")

But old habits are hard to break, and Sir Peter admits that his lips will be moving, even if his commentary is not being broadcast to the nation. "I think I'll be talking to myself," he confesses. "I'll be running it through my head ... it becomes a reflex action, so I shall probably be doing that in just the same way."

Red Rum was one of Sir Peter's favourite winners

Sir Peter will be enjoying the hospitality of the race sponsors, and, for the first time, will be joined by his wife Patricia. Despite a 47-year marriage, she has never accompanied her husband to the Grand National, and Sir Peter is looking forward to enjoying her company. "She's always watched it on television ... but this is the first time she's ever seen it live, which is great fun."

Peter O'Sullevan will not be giving advice to this year's commentary team (Dur 0'48")

However, Sir Peter insists that people watching at home will not miss him, and he will not be offering the current BBC team any advice. "Oh certainly not, I wouldn't dream of offering advice, anyway Jim McGuire doesn't need any. He's in the number one spot and he's an absolutely ace commentator."

Sir Peter believes the current BBC team is as strong as any who have gone to commentate on the National. As well as Mr McGuire, he singles out Tony O'Hare - "absolutely outstanding commentator" - and John Hanmer - "remarkably accurate" - for particular praise.

Joy of television

But even if Sir Peter won't be popping in to see his former colleagues, he will be keeping an eye across their work - if only to get a good view.

"I'll also be able to look at the TV set ... it's rather fun to see it live, and then glance back and see it on the television, because of course there are areas you see on television more clearly than you do when you're in situ."

Aldaniti brings back fond memories for Sir Peter

Aintree is full of memories for Sir Peter, starting with the first televised race in 1960. "I knew the owner of the winner, I had recommended the trainer to her, the jockey was a friend of mine, the horse I knew ... I'd selected him in the Express ... it was one of those occasional races where everything worked out.

Peter O'Sullevan remembers his 50 years of commentating (Dur 1'09")

"Of course it was a terrific privilege to call Red Rum home in 1977, his third National, because you knew then you were calling Aintree history.

"It was a joy to call Bob Champion home in 1981 on Aldaniti, because there was a horse who had come back from serious injury and Bob Champion had defeated cancer.

"Just as the following year when Grittar, ridden by a 48 year old amateur ... Dick Saunders, won for a farmer friend. If you mention a year, it will evoke a romance."

Top tips

Sir Peter "automatically" does the research, because he is still a punter himself, and can now exclusively share his selections for BBC News Online readers.

Peter O'Sullevan tips his likely winners (Dur 1'34")

When the weights were announced in February, Sir Peter backed Rough Quest at 20-1, but he also fancies Earth Summit - "he'll enjoy the soft ground"; he believes Challenger de Luc is the wild card - "if he thinks it's fun and enjoys it, he'll probably outclass them."

And he spares a word for last year's runner up, the grey Sunny Bay. But he believes at 12 stone he is carrying too much weight. "Any of them would be great winners," he says.
 

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