Millions of people watched the virtual Grand National from the comfort of their own homes after the year’s biggest race was cancelled amid the coronavirus outbreak.
This year’s meeting was run by a computer simulation with bookmakers donating all profits to NHS charities.
The real event had to be scrapped under the government guidelines on social distancing which have been set out in the hope of slowing the spread of the deadly pathogen.
It comes after the latest figures showed that there are 41,903 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK with a current death toll of 4,313.
Millions of people watched the virtual Grand National from the comfort of their own homes after the year’s biggest race was cancelled amid the coronavirus outbreak
This year’s meeting was run by a computer simulation with bookmakers donating all profits from bets to NHS charities
The special programme was shown on ITV and was hosted by Nick Luck with the four-and-a-half-mile race run kicking off at what would have been the real start time of 5.15pm.
Dozens of households up and down the country placed their bets on the field of 40 virtual runners before gathering around their television screens.
Potters Corner (18-1), under 17-year-old rider Jack Tudor, raced to glory at the Aintree track to come out on top.
He fended off challenges by Walk In The Mill and Any Second Now to achieve the National treble after victories in the Welsh National and Midlands National.
Dozens of households up and down the country placed their bets on the field of 40 virtual runners before gathering around their television screens
The special programme was shown on ITV and was hosted by Nick Luck with the four-and-a-half mile race run kicking off at what would have been the real start time of 5.15pm
Potters Corner, (pictured) under 17-year-old rider Jack Tudor, raced to glory at the Aintree track to come out on top
Christian Williams, who trained Potters Corner, spoke later about the virtual race and said: ‘I’m delighted, it’s great and great to cheer everyone up in tough times – I think even people from outside of racing were tuned in.
‘It was something for people to cheer on, people are stuck in their houses and it probably got a good viewing. It was something to watch together and have a bit of banter leading up to it.’
Williams reported the real-life Potters Corner is enjoying life at home in south Wales.
He said: ‘He’s such a laid-back character, he’s in the field with two foals – two quite valuable foals from France – and he’s quite a calming influence. They use him as a bit of a guide, as he’s such a good, kind horse.
‘We’re not too bad, we’re just praying everyone is safe. The sooner we can get back racing the better, but there’s no panic. If we can get back (jumps) racing by July 1, then brilliant, but if it’s not right, it’s not right.
‘It’s not in our hands, the Government will call it. We’ll go through rougher spells probably in the next week or so, but hopefully if things can plateau out maybe we can have a little bit of positive news and racing has a chance of coming back, hopefully.’
Williams reported the real-life Potters Corner is enjoying life at home in south Wales. Pictured: Households tuning in for the virtual Grand National
Tudor became the youngest winner of the race since 1938 after the victory today after two-time real-life winner Tiger Roll, under a CGI Davy Russell, faded at the final fence
Asked what he was thinking on the famous run to the line, he added: ‘Potters Corner stays very well, he won the Welsh National and the Midlands National and in the Welsh National they closed on him at the death as well, so I had a fair idea they might do it like that from the Elbow.
‘I didn’t think they’d let him past, he stays very well and if it’s done on the computer and stats I doubt they’d let anyone outstay him up the run-in.
‘Jack needed two extra winners to ride in the (real) race, but when racing got stopped three weeks ago and I had a fair idea I had two or three chasers that I thought could win for him if we needed it.
‘I’d have been surprised if I couldn’t have got him qualified in time.’
Tudor became the youngest winner of the race since 1938 after the victory today after two-time real-life winner Tiger Roll, under a CGI Davy Russell, faded at the final fence.
Potters Corner fended off challenges by Walk In The Mill and Any Second Now to achieve the National treble after victories in the Welsh National and Midlands National