Virtual Grand National 2020 runners and riders guide and sweepstake kit
A computer-simulated version of the Grand National will take place on Saturday 4 April, broadcast live on ITV. Betting on the race is open, with all proceeds being donated to NHS charities.
Even if the classic office betting extravaganza is out of the question, download our sweepstake kit by clicking the link below and encourage friends and family to join in via video call.
Telegraph Sport columnists Jamie Carragher, Will Greenwood and Michael Vaughan have picked their winners here.
Runners and riders
1. Tiger Roll: Bidding to join Red Rum in history books as a three-time winner but rushed preparation, hard race at Cheltenham and top-weight make this his hardest challenge yet.
2. Bristol De Mai: Grey from a stable with a good record in the race. Would fancy the once top rated chaser - if the race was run at Haydock in a bog.
3. Aso: Has never won over further than two and half miles and not in such good form as he was last season when runner-up to Frodon in the Ryanair. Petrol’s cheap but likely to run out of it.
4. Elegant Escape: Former Welsh National winner so stamina not likely to be a problem and his last place in the Gold Cup not as bad as it sounds. If Jonjo O’Neill jnr gets round he will have improved on his father’s National record.
5. Anibale Fly: Fourth and fifth in two Nationals and second in a Gold Cup. It’s in there somewhere but has finished last on three of his past four starts. Back in handicap company a help but unlikely to improve on a minor placing.
6. Top Ville Ben: Progressive northern-trained chaser who was regarded as a Gold Cup horse by connections earlier this season. Being beaten 33 lengths there by Santini in January was a reality check but each-way chance if he takes to it.
7. Beware The Bear: Will do well to get beyond the first if Nicky Henderson’s recent National runners are any guide. Either wins or pulls up and not much in between.
8. Peregrine Run: Mainly campaigned over two and a half miles, his run in the Topham last year did not give great encouragement; mistake at Becher's before falling at the last ditch. He has won six races since but can’t see this being seventh.
9. Jett: Irish chaser who has good form in big Grade Ones. One for the shortlist especially as his amateur jockey has an excellent record in the race. Even so Jessica Harrington’s second string.
10. Alpha Des Obeaux: Fell at The Chair on his first visit to Aintree but was creditable third to Walk In The Mill in Becher Chase in December. Same silks as Tiger Roll but unlikely to give Richard Johnson his first National winner.
11. Total Recall: Former Ladbrokes Trophy winner who returned to form when winning the Thyestes Chase last time out. A touch of class but blundered his way round in 2018 before being pulled up. Would want to bring his A game.
12. The Storyteller: A bit of a dark horse. Capable chaser campaigned over hurdles all season finishing second in the Pertemps Final. Could belie his odds by running a big race.
13. Magic of Light: Last year’s runner up might have given Tiger Roll more to think about had she not thumped the last. A versatile mare, she saves her best for this side of the Irish Sea. Could easily go one better.
14. Talkischeap: Winner of the Bet365 Gold Cup last April for former trainer Charlie Dingwall. Yet to recapture that form this season but could run well at a good price.
15. Yala Enki: Recent Taunton winner who finished third in Haydock’s Grand National trial and the Welsh National. Bidding to put Bryony Frost out in front of the field as the first female to win a National. Stamina no problem but maybe just lacking the class to win.
16. Ballyoptic: Won last time out but Aintree record is not impressive having fallen twice and then finished a long way behind in Becher Chase. Clear round will have given connections a cautious optimism but not for me.
17. Burrows Saint: Irish National winners have a good record in this and fifth in the Grand Steeple de Paris suggests fences will hold no fears. Excellent chance of carrying Rachael Blackmore into history books as first female jockey to win the race.
18. Definitly Red: Trainer confidently predicted National victory after his recent win at Kelso. Unlucky on first attempt being baulked early on. Good chance at the weights if Lady Luck is riding pillion with Champion-elect Brian Hughes.
19. Sub Lieutenant: Has not won for a year and a half. Best hope for this lowly ranked officer is that he was second in last year’s Topham but that might be clutching at straws.
20. OK Corral: Probably Nicky Henderson’s best chance for a while. Won the Skybet Chase, has a nice weight but didn’t get home in last year’s four miler at Cheltenham which would be a worry from the second last.
21. Tout Est Permis: Beaten a long way in last year’s Irish National, ran a good trial in the Pertemps Final when third but possibly lacks the class to win a modern National.
22. Vintage Clouds: He hates the place. Fell at the first last year and pulled up early in Becher Chase. Likely to be wandering lonely as one – out the back from an early stage.
23. Crievehill: Sound jumper who put in some great leaps in the Sefton Chase over the course but it possibly exposed limits on his stamina. Unlikely to be in the shake up but could go well for a long way.
24. Lake View Lad: Got a bit left at the start last year when fancied to give Scotland a third National winner. Never got into the race after that and will want to set off on a more positive note this year.
25. Jury Duty: US Grand National winner but that is a hurdle race. Quietly fancied a year ago but unseated jockey at the 18th. Verdict is that he is unlikely to add Aintree National to his battle honours.
26. Pleasant Company: Had a near-miss when second to Tiger Roll two years ago and wasn’t going too badly when unseating four out last year. Unlikely to win but might be one of those horses who keeping coming back with an each-way chance.
27. Acapella Bourgois: Strong stayer who relished testing conditions to win a National trial in Ireland last time. Coming to boil at right time. Not the worst Mullins candidate.
28. Shattered Love: A mare considered good enough to run in last year’s Gold Cup but an ordinary season so far though signs of life at Gowran. Lisa O’Neill well up to it if her mount is.
29. Any Second Now: Last year’s Kim Muir winner at Cheltenham. Might have the ability to feature in the shake-up but jumping is a different question. Fell in last year’s Irish National and unseated in another big field at Leopardstown over Christmas.
30. Potters Corner: trained on a beach – remind you of anyone? Popular Midlands and Welsh National winner trained in Wales part-owned by Welsh rugby star Jonathan Davies. However best on heavy ground.
31. Dounikos: Won a National trial last year and fancied for Aintree but did not get home and has not been the same horse since.
32. Kildisart: Has been gradually improving all season and ran a blinder to finish second in the Ultima at Cheltenham. Jockey even managed to get further than the first last year so he will be hopeful. A lot going for him.
33. Death Duty: Grade One novice chase winner two and a half years ago but a long time off injured and not back to the same level since. Trainer has better chances.
34. Ramses De Teille: Quite fancied for the race last year but was struggling and out the back when his rein snapped at the last. Had a bit of an Irish preparation in that his last three runs have been over hurdles. Unlikely to give trainer a second winner.
35. Valtor: Bought for the race but the handicapper only just beginning to forgive after runaway first win in Britain. Finished 18th in the race last year and effectively carrying 16 lbs less this time but cannot see it myself.
36. Saint Xavier: French import with smart Auteuil form. Even though named after the patron saint of missionaries, would be surprised if he converts too many to Christianity on Saturday.
37. Warriors Tale: Has Aintree form having a Grand Sefton but has pulled up in two Nationals. Would struggle to get the extreme trip without use of a horsebox.
38. Double Shuffle: Has not won since 2016 although some good efforts since interspersed with some average runs. Does not look in great form this season.
39. Kimberlite Candy: Impressive winner of Warwick Classic which One For Arthur won en route. Finally beginning to put his races together and had a good recce of course when second in Becher Chase in December. Huge chance with no weight on his back.
40. Walk In The Mill: Bought because he looked safe for his lady owner to ride when seen being led by his French trainer off his bike but turned out it was because he was impossible to ride! Two-time Becher Chase winner, fourth in last year’s race. Huge chance to improve and one for the very short list.
