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Virtual Grand National 2020: Start time, runners and riders and where to watch

Mat Marshall

Editor

Last updated: 03 Apr 2020

Mat Marshall 03 Apr 2020

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ITV Racing will broadcast the Virtual Grand National live this weekend
Virtual race takes place on Saturday, April 4th at 17:15 GMT

With British horse racing suspended until the end of April due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Grand National was one of the high profile races to bite the dust.

Back-to-back winner Tiger Roll was an 8-1 favourite for the race with the leading challengers including Burrows Saint (12-1), Any Second Now (12-1), Definitly Red (12-1) and Magic Of Light (16-1).

Thankfully the Grand National will still take place virtually, with a computer-simulated running of the race.

The simulation uses algorithms and CGI animation to run the race, designed to accurately recreate the world's most famous steeplechase. The Aintree racecourse and National fences have been graphically designed to make the viewing experience more realistic.

The Grand National field will be made up of the 40 most likely runners scheduled for the 2020 Randox Health Grand National.

ITV Racing are set to broadcast the Virtual Grand National live on ITV1 on April 4 at 5pm GMT. The network will also be showing 'ITV Racing's Classic Races' on their YouTube channel with races selected by social media users.

The programme will be hosted by Nick Luck alongside Richard Pitman and Alice Plunkett. Other races on the program include a Race of Champions including former greats Red Rum and Tiger Roll.

Executive producer Rob McLoughlin said: "We use the latest CGI technology and algorithms and were ready to go ahead as a forerunner to the big race, but now we want to cheer the nation up and ask the computer if history could have been made.

"It's very sad not to have the real race but this is fascinating and fun and, as proven since 2017, incredibly accurate."

The horse racing simulation is produced by Inspired Entertainment. Chief commercial officer for virtual sports, Steve Rogers, said: "In 2017, Cause Of Causes won the Virtual Grand National and came a close second in the real race hours later.

"The 2018 result was breathtaking as Tiger Roll won both in almost identical circumstances and the computer chose three of the top five finishers, including the Tiger, in 2019.”

"My team have been working round the clock to make this year even more realistic than ever, and we can't wait to screen the Red Rum versus Tiger Roll match. It's terrific TV."

A virtual horse race has been held since 2017 and has shown an ability to get close to forecasting the actual outcome.

"In 2017, Cause of Causes won the Virtual Grand National and came a close second in the real race hours later," explained Rogers.

"The 2018 result was breathtaking as Tiger Roll won both in almost identical circumstances and the computer chose three of the top five finishers, including the Tiger, in 2019."