Would Tiger Roll have done it? ITV to broadcast virtual 2020 Grand National

ITV Racing are to fill the absent spot left after the cancellation of the Grand National with a computer-simulated running of the race. The Virtual Grand National will broadcasted live on ITV1 on April 4 at 5pm.

With British racing suspended until the end of April, the network will also be running 'ITV Racing's Classic Races' on their YouTube channel. This will consist of races selected by social media users.

Virtual Grand National: on ITV1 at 5pm on April 4

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

The field will be made up of the 40 most likely runners scheduled for the 2020 Randox Health Grand National, which was suspended on March 16 following the coronavirus pandemic.

Virtual Grand National winners (real life result)

2019 Rathvinden (third)
2018 Tiger Roll (won)
2017 Cause Of Causes (second)

The programme, which will be hosted by Nick Luck, also features a race of champions. This will see former greats such as Red Rum and Tiger Roll clash in an epic 40-runner simulation.

Luck will present the coverage alongside Richard Pitman and Alice Plunkett.

Virtual Grand National: designed to accurately recreate Aintree and the National fences

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."

Gordon Elliott still eyeing Grand National three-timer with Tiger Roll in 2021

The simulation is produced by Inspired Entertainment and Steve Rogers, chief commercial officer for virtual sports, 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."

Along with the classic races show, ITV will also be showing features from the last four years and a vodcast (video podcast) reviewing the jumps season will be available to watch on Wednesday, April 1.

Before the cancellation, back-to-back winner Tiger Roll was an 8-1 favourite for the Randox Health Grand National, while his leading challengers included Burrows Saint (12-1), Any Second Now (12-1), Definitly Red (12-1) and Magic Of Light (16-1).

Read more:

Red Rum: an Aintree icon who won hearts of a nation

Gordon Elliott still eyeing Grand National three-timer with Tiger Roll in 2021

Grand National cancelled as Aintree card lost to spiralling coronavirus crisis

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