'It was a good laugh' - Deutsch sees the funny side of Aso's virtual fall

It's easier to laugh when you fall two out with the Grand National at your mercy if the race is only virtual.

Charlie Deutsch certainly saw the funny side of Aso's departure in the computer-generated event when in front and full of running – so much so that his Twitter profile now features a picture of the incident.

Video footage of the jockey watching the fateful race, shot by his housemate Ed Bailey, has been widely viewed on social media, though Deutsch admitted on Sunday: "At first I wasn't that fussed about watching it.

"It was a bit surreal seeing myself and I thought I was making a lot of use of the horse, I don't think I would've ridden him like that for real!

"But on the home turn I started getting quite excited – you nearly forget that it's virtual! I thought I was going to win easy and when he hit the deck I didn't know what to think.

"It was a good laugh and I've had loads of abuse and funny texts."

Aso, a five-time winner at around 2m4f over fences, was a 66-1 shot for Saturday's race and Deutsch fears the virtual chaser may have more stamina than the real one.

"I was surprised he stayed that well," said the jockey. "It's not his ideal trip and the National would have been a shot in the dark. He's not an out-and-out stayer and I was thinking of riding him from behind – but it obviously worked!

"He's also quite a clever horse and I don't think he would have fallen, he never has done before."

It will plenty of time before Deutsch rides in a real race again, with jumping cancelled until July, and he said: "Like a lot of people I've just been trying to keep myself occupied.

"I've been doing plenty of running and I've got a horse I've been riding out every day. With jump racing off until July I may find some agricultural work."

More 2020 Virtual Grand National news:

2020 Virtual Grand National: 4.8 million tune in to watch on ITV

2020 Virtual Grand National full result: where your horse finished and who won

'Nooooooooo!' – the best of Twitter after a dramatic Virtual Grand National

Bookmakers pledge profits from virtual Grand National will go to NHS charities

Bookmakers have pledged to donate any profits from betting on the Virtual Grand National to the NHS Charities COVID-19 Urgent Appeal. You can donate to this important cause here