Virtual Grand National 2020 winner and results as Potters Corner delivers at 18-1 for NHS Charities
Technically it was meant to be the 173rd running of the world’s greatest race since the aptly named Lottery won the first in 1839 - but if Potters Corner, the Welsh trained ‘winner,’ of yesterday’s Virtual Grand National is to ever feature in Aintree’s history books he will have to turn up at Aintree and wins the real thing in 12 months’ time.
The Welsh National winner, a 16-1 shot who is trained on a beach on south Wales by former jockey Christian Williams and is part-owned by Welsh rugby star Jonathan Davies, was ridden by Jack Tudor completing an all-Welsh victory.
With the nation on lockdown, the Virtual Grand National on ITV took on a life of its own with a computer-generated Potters Corner coming home ahead of Walk in the Mill, also a 16-1 shot, who stayed on strongly to reduce the gap to a length at the line.
Any Second Now, 10-1, was third while Tiger Roll, the 5-1 favourite, who was seeking to equal Red Rum’s record of three wins in the race, was a gallant fourth after a rushed preparation.
There was late drama in the race though when Aso, who was several lengths clear at the time but has never won over than two and a half miles, fell at the second last.
Williams said: "We can't even go to the pub or parade him round the village tomorrow! He's actually turned out in a field with two foals because he's a calming influence. I hope it's good for racing that a lot people sat at home with nothing better to do watching it on television enjoyed it."
The computer had 19 horses finishing, 10 falling, four unseating their jockeys and an eyebrow-raising seven refusals. All jockeys and horses returned home safely.
Simon Clare, PR director of Corals, said: “It’s been a real success. In the absence of the Grand National or any other sport, the media got behind it and ITV put on a great show. Millions have engaged either by watching or betting which is what we were hoping for – its been a celebration of the National in the absence of the race.
“The average stake was £2 and hundreds of thousands were betting. I expect a couple of million people watched it. We will know mid-morning on Sunday how much has been raised for the NHS. Hopefully it will be big figures.”
Prior to the 2020 Virtual Grand National, ITV screened a Champion of Champions race, in which Red Rum beat Manifesto, with Tiger Roll third.
05:05 PMMarcus Armytage
Marcus Armytage
our actual racing correspondent, has an actual race report of the virtual race. I think I've virtually said all I have to say about this so I will bid you a happy and healthy good evening. Cheers!
Proud children watching daddy win 1990 National almost 30 years to the hour. #whatsthenumberforchildline? pic.twitter.com/A1jwvE76gv
— Marcus (@Armytage) April 4, 2020
04:58 PMTough afternoon for the Tiger
Tough afternoon for the Tiger
Poor wee Tiger Roll had to run the National twice in about 20 minutes so no wonder he was a bit puffed out.
04:55 PMLive from the jockeys' rooms!
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/KKRHrQueQ3
— charlie deutsch (@charliedeutsch2) April 4, 2020
Well I got around I’ll take that 🤣 #VirtualGrandNational
— Richard Johnson (@dickyjohnson77) April 4, 2020
04:54 PMCharlie D
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/KKRHrQueQ3
— charlie deutsch (@charliedeutsch2) April 4, 2020
04:53 PMPotters Corner owner
Live from the jockeys' rooms!
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/KKRHrQueQ3
— charlie deutsch (@charliedeutsch2) April 4, 2020
Well I got around I’ll take that 🤣 #VirtualGrandNational
— Richard Johnson (@dickyjohnson77) April 4, 2020
04:54 PMCharlie D
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/KKRHrQueQ3
— charlie deutsch (@charliedeutsch2) April 4, 2020
04:53 PMPotters Corner owner
Charlie D
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/KKRHrQueQ3
— charlie deutsch (@charliedeutsch2) April 4, 2020
04:53 PMPotters Corner owner
Potters Corner owner
Gareth Maule, the Welsh rugby player - and what a name that is for a Welsh rugby player - is one of the owners of Potters Corner.
Where do i pick the prize money up? 😂😂😂 #PottersCorner #VirtualGrandNational
— Gareth Maule (@GarethMaule) April 4, 2020
And here is the trainer Christian Williams:
We can't even go to the pub or parade him round the village tomorrow! He's actually turned out in a field with two foals because he's a calming influence. I hope it's good for racing that a lot people sat at home with nothing better to do watching it on television enjoyed it."
04:50 PMHere are the commentator Stewart Machin's notes
Thanks for watching @TheVirtualGN - no doubt the mighty Stewart Machin made that half hour...
Here is his colour chart - truly a unique item - he would like to auction it for NHS Charities...
... I’ll kick off the bidding at £500 - please post your bids here pic.twitter.com/mr0xn6KvCO
— Nick Luck (@nickluck) April 4, 2020
04:46 PMDavy not happy!
Please don’t send him on again
— Davy Russell (@_Davy_Russel_) April 4, 2020
04:44 PMThe winner
Here are the commentator Stewart Machin's notes
Thanks for watching @TheVirtualGN - no doubt the mighty Stewart Machin made that half hour...
— Nick Luck (@nickluck) April 4, 2020
Here is his colour chart - truly a unique item - he would like to auction it for NHS Charities...
... I’ll kick off the bidding at £500 - please post your bids here pic.twitter.com/mr0xn6KvCO
04:46 PMDavy not happy!
Please don’t send him on again
— Davy Russell (@_Davy_Russel_) April 4, 2020
04:44 PMThe winner
Davy not happy!
Please don’t send him on again
— Davy Russell (@_Davy_Russel_) April 4, 2020
04:44 PMThe winner
The winner
was an 18-1 shot so one assumes that the bookies have made a decent profit, so that goes to NHS Charities Together. If you want to donate then fire away. The link for that is here.
04:41 PMLadbrokes
Ladbrokes
say: "The average stake per bet was just over £2 which is an indication of the recreational nature of the event”.
04:41 PMVirtual race, real despair!
I blame 5G
— Dan Dawson (@DanDartsDawson) April 4, 2020
04:38 PMSome absolute legends fell
Virtual race, real despair!
I blame 5G
— Dan Dawson (@DanDartsDawson) April 4, 2020
04:38 PMSome absolute legends fell
Some absolute legends fell
Hope they are all okay...
Rag Trade, Aldaniti and Many Clouds all fell. Silver Birch refused.
04:33 PMHere's how it all played out
Potters Corner is the winner of the 2⃣0⃣2⃣0⃣ Virtual Grand National!
A Welsh winner of the Virtual National! 🏴 pic.twitter.com/OUwK8pBdjK
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 4, 2020
04:32 PMReaction coming up
Can I just say I would not have went to the front so soon on Don’t Push It....So I want no more abuse about giving him a bad ride😂 😂
— AP McCoy (@AP_McCoy) April 4, 2020
04:30 PMPotters Corner!
Let’s go 💪🏻🏆#PottersCorner 👑 pic.twitter.com/4yIVycfmYR
— Christian Williams Racing (@CWilliamsRacing) April 4, 2020
04:29 PMResult: Potters Corner wins the Virtual National!
Here's how it all played out
Potters Corner is the winner of the 2⃣0⃣2⃣0⃣ Virtual Grand National!
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 4, 2020
A Welsh winner of the Virtual National! 🏴 pic.twitter.com/OUwK8pBdjK
04:32 PMReaction coming up
Can I just say I would not have went to the front so soon on Don’t Push It....So I want no more abuse about giving him a bad ride😂 😂
— AP McCoy (@AP_McCoy) April 4, 2020
04:30 PMPotters Corner!
Let’s go 💪🏻🏆#PottersCorner 👑 pic.twitter.com/4yIVycfmYR
— Christian Williams Racing (@CWilliamsRacing) April 4, 2020
04:29 PMResult: Potters Corner wins the Virtual National!
Reaction coming up
Can I just say I would not have went to the front so soon on Don’t Push It....So I want no more abuse about giving him a bad ride😂 😂
— AP McCoy (@AP_McCoy) April 4, 2020
04:30 PMPotters Corner!
Let’s go 💪🏻🏆#PottersCorner 👑 pic.twitter.com/4yIVycfmYR
— Christian Williams Racing (@CWilliamsRacing) April 4, 2020
04:29 PMResult: Potters Corner wins the Virtual National!
Potters Corner!
Let’s go 💪🏻🏆#PottersCorner 👑 pic.twitter.com/4yIVycfmYR
— Christian Williams Racing (@CWilliamsRacing) April 4, 2020
04:29 PMResult: Potters Corner wins the Virtual National!
Result: Potters Corner wins the Virtual National!
And Walk In the Mill is second.
Any Second Now comes in third
Tiger Roll fourth under that big weight.
Burrows Saint for Rachael Blackmore is the fifth placed horse.
04:28 PMLast fence
Last fence
Potters Corner and Tiger Roll. Potters Corner ahead coming to the Elbow. Tiger Roll is not going to win. The weight is too much. Potters Corner wins the virtual national!
04:27 PMComing to the 29th
Coming to the 29th
It is Aso and Charlie Deutsche forge with a big lead coming to the second last... but he has fallen! Oh no what a shocker. Poor imaginary horse and computer jockey.
04:26 PMThird last
Third last
Tiger Roll six lengths ahead of the Storyteller....
04:26 PMFence 26
Fence 26
Bristol de Mai falls! Jury Duty has refused.
04:25 PMCanal Turn
Canal Turn
about a mile and quarter to run.
04:25 PMComing to 22
Coming to 22
That is Bechers for the second time. Rachael Blackmore is right up there.
04:24 PM18th fence
18th fence
That nice grey, Bristol de Mai in with chances as the race unfolds. Acapella Bourgeois falls at the 19th.
04:23 PMAt half way
At half way
It's Tiger Roll looking strong with 11 stone 10 aboard, will this drying ground make that less of a factor?
04:23 PM14th fence
14th fence
Tiger Roll ahead, nods on landing... but he's okay. Coming up to the Chair, in front of the packed stands, David Maxwell is unseated.
04:21 PMAt the 11th
At the 11th
The open ditch, Lake View lad is a faller.
04:21 PMAt Valentines
At Valentines
Tiger Roll is up there, Many Clouds midfield. jet and Okay Coral have both refused.
04:20 PMComing up to Bechers
Coming up to Bechers
it's Talk is Cheap, lands in front, looks like everyone over that okay. At Foinavon, a mistake from Alpha Des Obeaux.
04:20 PMThird fence
Third fence
Shattered Love has fallen, so too Valtour.
04:19 PMIn running
In running
Tiger Roll and Davy Russel are on their way and prominent.
04:19 PMThey're off!
They're off!
40 runners head off in the Virtual Grand National 2020.
04:18 PMRichard Pitman
Richard Pitman
"Only three greys have won the race."
04:17 PMAlice Plunkett and Richard Pitman
Alice Plunkett and Richard Pitman
doing their thing.
"I hope there isn't an upset," says Alice. "I want to see Tiger Roll win his third,"
Ahead of the Virtual Grand National @aliceplunkett and Richard Pitman give their predictions for the race!
Watch HERE:
📺 @ITV
📱 https://t.co/Gic4fP8tJm pic.twitter.com/EA0P2Mg8DG— ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 4, 2020
04:16 PMSo we turn now to the Virtual Grand National
So we turn now to the Virtual Grand National
good luck to you if you are having a punt.
04:16 PMLittle clip of that
Red Rum claims the Race of Champions!
He is first to the line ahead of Manifesto and Tiger Roll!
Watch HERE:
📺 @ITV
📱 https://t.co/Gic4fP8tJm pic.twitter.com/KIu5BJZb0g
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 4, 2020
04:13 PMChampion of Champions race winner - Red Rum
Little clip of that
Red Rum claims the Race of Champions!
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 4, 2020
He is first to the line ahead of Manifesto and Tiger Roll!
Watch HERE:
📺 @ITV
📱 https://t.co/Gic4fP8tJm pic.twitter.com/KIu5BJZb0g
04:13 PMChampion of Champions race winner - Red Rum
Champion of Champions race winner - Red Rum
Nicely done. Manifesto, the 19th century hero, comes in second. Today's fave Tiger Roll in third.
04:13 PMWith two to jump
With two to jump
it is Don't Push It... Hedgehunter falls! Coming up to the last, a length from Manifesto and then Red Rum... Manifesto hits the front at the elbow... Red Rum comes to take up the challenge with Manifesto.... Red Rum has just pipped him on the line. Tiger Roll in third. What do you reckon to that? Had to be Rummy did it not?
04:11 PMSome great old names in this
Some great old names in this
Golden Miller, L'Escargot... Don't Push It is in the lead and stringing them out.. Mr Frisk and our man Armytage a long way back! Shame.
04:09 PMVirtual Many Clouds
Virtual Many Clouds
has fallen at Virtual Beechers Brook. Tiger Roll going well.
04:08 PMThis looks really cool!
This looks really cool!
Fair play to them, the graphics and visuals look excellent. The movement of the horse is a little bit odd but it's very decent effort.
04:07 PMHere's Stewart Machin
Here's Stewart Machin
the commentator, about to tee us off for the Champion of Champions National. Rag Trade, the 1976 winner, is the faller at the first. Bob Champion and Aldaniti fall at the third! I am assuming that there will not be any virtual fatalities in this, that would be pretty savage.
04:06 PMExperts
Experts
Lucinda Russell reckons her One For Arthur will be fourth.
Bob Champion reckons Red Rum to win, as does Marcus Townend the racing man from the Mail.
Lizzie Kelly thinks that L'Escargot will win.
04:04 PMNick Luck in his garden!
Nick Luck in his garden!
Impressive shed. He's now explaining how it all works.
Inspired Gaming have been trying to predict the winner of the race. They came second in 2017 with Cause of Causes. And then they predicted 2018's win for Tiger Roll. They went for Rathvinden last year, that was third.
Red Rum takes on Tiger Roll in the 2020 Race of Champions.
04:02 PMNick Luck
Nick Luck
"It's just for fun, we are not taking it too seriously."
04:01 PMVirtual National time
Virtual National time
ITV broadcast is starting.
In 2018 Tiger Roll won the Virual National before going on to the real thing.
Here's Nick Luck in his living room! Nice rocking horse, Nick Luck!
04:00 PMNice bit of history
Nice bit of history
about cancelled Nationals of yore here.
03:56 PMSo Virtual Grand National
So Virtual Grand National
incoming!
03:45 PMLooks neat
Some behind the scenes shots of The Virtual Grand National!
Tune in - 5pm, Saturday April 4th, @itv #VGN20 #VirtualGrandNational pic.twitter.com/iTddrPiWXT
— The Virtual Grand National 2020 (@TheVirtualGN) April 3, 2020
03:43 PMOne more
My mum has actually dressed up in her garden for the #VirtualGrandNational pic.twitter.com/MKcK0IHWG2
— Joseph Green (@JosephGreen_) April 4, 2020
03:43 PMPunters getting into the spirit
I've got a mate and he ride virtual horses he's just text me saying that he's riding tiger roll in the virtual national and it's set up for tiger roll to win #VirtualGrandNational
— Todd Newton (@toddnewton1990) April 4, 2020
My sister and me race ready; full access to the VIP lounge #VirtualGrandNational pic.twitter.com/9UcFg1EY5G
— Susanne Hopton (@HoptonSusanne) April 4, 2020
03:41 PMTalking horse
I've got a mate and he ride virtual horses he's just text me saying that he's riding tiger roll in the virtual national and it's set up for tiger roll to win #VirtualGrandNational
— Todd Newton (@toddnewton1990) April 4, 2020
03:31 PMSweepstake
Looks neat
Some behind the scenes shots of The Virtual Grand National!
— The Virtual Grand National 2020 (@TheVirtualGN) April 3, 2020
Tune in - 5pm, Saturday April 4th, @itv #VGN20 #VirtualGrandNational pic.twitter.com/iTddrPiWXT
03:43 PMOne more
My mum has actually dressed up in her garden for the #VirtualGrandNational pic.twitter.com/MKcK0IHWG2
— Joseph Green (@JosephGreen_) April 4, 2020
03:43 PMPunters getting into the spirit
I've got a mate and he ride virtual horses he's just text me saying that he's riding tiger roll in the virtual national and it's set up for tiger roll to win #VirtualGrandNational
— Todd Newton (@toddnewton1990) April 4, 2020
My sister and me race ready; full access to the VIP lounge #VirtualGrandNational pic.twitter.com/9UcFg1EY5G
— Susanne Hopton (@HoptonSusanne) April 4, 2020
03:41 PMTalking horse
I've got a mate and he ride virtual horses he's just text me saying that he's riding tiger roll in the virtual national and it's set up for tiger roll to win #VirtualGrandNational
— Todd Newton (@toddnewton1990) April 4, 2020
03:31 PMSweepstake
One more
My mum has actually dressed up in her garden for the #VirtualGrandNational pic.twitter.com/MKcK0IHWG2
— Joseph Green (@JosephGreen_) April 4, 2020
03:43 PMPunters getting into the spirit
I've got a mate and he ride virtual horses he's just text me saying that he's riding tiger roll in the virtual national and it's set up for tiger roll to win #VirtualGrandNational
— Todd Newton (@toddnewton1990) April 4, 2020
My sister and me race ready; full access to the VIP lounge #VirtualGrandNational pic.twitter.com/9UcFg1EY5G
— Susanne Hopton (@HoptonSusanne) April 4, 2020
03:41 PMTalking horse
I've got a mate and he ride virtual horses he's just text me saying that he's riding tiger roll in the virtual national and it's set up for tiger roll to win #VirtualGrandNational
— Todd Newton (@toddnewton1990) April 4, 2020
03:31 PMSweepstake
Punters getting into the spirit
I've got a mate and he ride virtual horses he's just text me saying that he's riding tiger roll in the virtual national and it's set up for tiger roll to win #VirtualGrandNational
— Todd Newton (@toddnewton1990) April 4, 2020
My sister and me race ready; full access to the VIP lounge #VirtualGrandNational pic.twitter.com/9UcFg1EY5G
— Susanne Hopton (@HoptonSusanne) April 4, 2020
03:41 PMTalking horse
I've got a mate and he ride virtual horses he's just text me saying that he's riding tiger roll in the virtual national and it's set up for tiger roll to win #VirtualGrandNational
— Todd Newton (@toddnewton1990) April 4, 2020
03:31 PMSweepstake
Talking horse
I've got a mate and he ride virtual horses he's just text me saying that he's riding tiger roll in the virtual national and it's set up for tiger roll to win #VirtualGrandNational
— Todd Newton (@toddnewton1990) April 4, 2020
03:31 PMSweepstake
Sweepstake
I've drawn Elegant Escape in our virtual office virtual Grand National virtual sweepstake, performed by Ben Bloom earlier on today.
Tiger Roll has gone to Alberti Benson.
If you want to get involved, get a load of this sweepstake kit.
03:21 PMIf favouriteTiger Roll wins
If favouriteTiger Roll wins
I guess the bookies have to pay out lots, which means less profits, which means less money to the NHS Charities? So we want a rank outsider to win?
03:12 PMArmytage on the 1990 edition
Our racing correspondent Marcus @Armytage on his memories of winning the Grand National at Aintree 30 years ago https://t.co/zeylBryeKF
— Telegraph Sport (@TelegraphSport) April 4, 2020
03:08 PMThe graphics of this
Armytage on the 1990 edition
Our racing correspondent Marcus @Armytage on his memories of winning the Grand National at Aintree 30 years ago https://t.co/zeylBryeKF
— Telegraph Sport (@TelegraphSport) April 4, 2020
03:08 PMThe graphics of this
The graphics of this
look really cool actually. This tech has come on in leaps and bounds over the last couple of years.
Today is the day! Who’s going to be watching? 👀 🐎
Tune in at 5pm on @itv! #VirtualGrandNational #VGN20 pic.twitter.com/GYlw0Ab12n— The Virtual Grand National 2020 (@TheVirtualGN) April 4, 2020
03:04 PMHere's the Champion of Champions
Here's the Champion of Champions
runners and riders.
Virtual Race of Champions 2020: runners and riders guide, from Red Rum to Tiger Roll
Marcus Armytage here the man with the form guide
6. Troytown (1920): A giant 17-hand chaser, won a Champion Chase and Grand Steeple. Made virtually all to give Jack Anthony, purely a passenger on this occasion, a third National. But for breaking a leg at Auteuil – he is buried in a pet cemetery in Asnieres - that summer might have won more than one. Talented, sure to be up with the pace.
15. Red Rum (1973, 74, 77): The greatest of the 20th century, only Manifesto presents a realistic threat. Beach trained behind a second-hand car salesroom in Southport by a taxi driver, nailed long-time leader Crisp to win his first. Saved Aintree and the race when he won his third. Defeat out of the question.
03:01 PMWe are looking forward
We are looking forward
to the Champion of Champions race, a classic sporting premise that was good enough for the Rocky series and thus good enough for us, as Red Rum and other heroes do virtual battle.
02:57 PMJamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher
and some of our other columnists are up for the Virtual Grand National. Find out who they are backing here.
Clue: sounds like Definitely Red might have caught the eye of a certain former Liverpool defender...
02:53 PMThe Virtual National
02:39 PMIf you're of a betting persuasion
The Virtual National
02:39 PMIf you're of a betting persuasion
If you're of a betting persuasion
and let's face it, why wouldn't you be, then you can have a punt on this at all the usual places. The bookies are going to give the money to NHS charities.
02:27 PMGood afternoon!
Good afternoon!
A strange and hopefully fun occasion in store as we bring you live blog coverage of the Virtual Grand National. We have all the tips, the runners and riders and the news as we all try to work out who will win the Virtual Grand National. There is coverage on ITV from 5pm of the computer simulated race, sort of like Football Manager but with horses I suppose.
The reason this is taking place, obviously, is because the real live race that would have been held in Aintree today has been cancelled due to the corona lockdown. Like so many other aspects of life in the UK, racing has tried to keep some semblance of normality, and keep the till ringing as best it can, and this is the best we can do for the time being. It should be fun. Something different, anyway. Nick Luck presents the ITV coverage, which will also feature a Champions Race where historical heroes such as Red Rum will do battle.
Another horse who is in that race is Mr Frisk, who was ridden to victory in the 1990 National by our very own Marcus Armytage. If you read one thing today, I urge you to make it this - Marcus's account of wining the race. Such a good yarn.
Returning to the present day, we have a Grand National Sweepstake kit here.
And our experts here mark your card for who they think will win the Virtual Grand National.
it may be pertinent to look at last year’s result when Rathvinden, third in the real National, beat Tiger Roll in the VGN.
Rathvinden, who is not in the line-up this year, had won the four mile National Hunt Chase as a novice and his previous start (indeed his only start before Aintree last season), the Bobbyjo Chase.
If the computer likes Willie Mullins-trained horses, which won the Bobbyjo on their previous start, then Acapella Bourgeois must be included in the list while winning the Irish National as a novice also gives Burrows Saint a very similar profile to Rathvinden.
Do not rule out Tiger Roll, but 50-1 Kildisart can take the Virtual Grand National