Introduced by Steve Rider.
Provisional Timetable
12.20 Football Focus
12.50 London's Marathon preview
1.00 News
1.05 Snooker; 1.55 Racing
2.05 Gymnastics; 2.25 Racing
2.35 Gymnastics; 2.55 Racing
3.05 Gymnastics; 3.25 Racing
3.35 Snooker
3.55 Gymnastics
4.25 Snooker
4.40 Final Score
World Snooker
Embassy World Championship from the Crucible Theatre,
Sheffield. The first of 17 days of competition sees Scotland's
Stephen Hendry beginning his defence of the World title he won in dramatic fashion last year, when he came from 14-8 down to win ten frames in a row against Jimmy White. White also begins his campaign for that elusive first World title later today. Hendry's first-round opponent is England's Danny Fowler while White faces talented youngster Joe Swail in the clash of the two former English amateur champions. With commentary by Ted Lowe , Jack Karnehm and Clive Everton . Stereo
Gymnastics
World Championships from
Birmingham. The competition builds to a climax with the apparatus finals taking place today and tomorrow. British champion Neil Thomas had high hopes of reaching this afternoon's men's floor final and emulating his performance in the last World
Championships in Indianapolis, when he became the first
Briton to qualify for an individual final at this level.
The floor exercise was one of only two disciplines which
Vitaly Scherbo failed to win at last year's Olympics. But he did triumph on the rings and pommel horse, which are also contested today. Plus action from the women's vault and asymmetrical bars.
With commentary by Barry Davies , Mitch Fenner and Christine Still.
Football Focus
Bob Wilson and Alan Hansen reflect on the effect of the busy Easter programme on the three-horse race for the FA
Premier League title and look ahead to this weekend's action.
Racing
From Newbury.
2.00 PCL Burghclere Conditions Stakes (1m3f)
2.30 Lanes End John Porter EBF Stakes(1½om)
3.00 Singer and Friedlander Greenham Stakes (7f)
3.30 Ladbrokes Spring Handicap (1m)
The Greenham Stakes is the top British trial for the 2,000 Guineas. Rodrigo de Triano took part last year.
Commentary by Peter O'Sullevan , Julian Wilson and Jimmy Lindley . London's Marathon Preview
A look ahead to tomorrow's event, coverage of which starts on BBC1 at 8.50am.
Producer Martin Hopkins
Editor Dave Gordon