Aintree Racecourse may be unusually empty this week as coronavirus lockdown continues, but racing fans will get the chance to bet on the day.
Computer systems are poised for the 2020 Virtual Grand National on Saturday, when the real big race was due to be held.
Instead of 40 horses and jockeys lining up at the starting tape, they will compete in computerised form on ITV at 5.15pm.
The virtual version, which takes in all sorts of variables, has been a good indicator to the real result each year since it began in 2017.
There will also be a special Race of Champions, with featuring multiple winners Red Rum and Tiger Roll alongside 38 others.
Here's everything you need to know about the 2020 Virtual Grand National:
The runners and riders
The race will feature the 40 horses and riders who were most likely to run in the Aintree spectacular.
It will answer the key question in racing; could Tiger Roll have won the 2020 race and entered the history books as a three-time back-to-back winner?
Red Rum is the only horse to win as many renewals, in 1973, 1974 and 1977. He finished runner-up in the two intervening years.
This is the list of virtual runners and riders taking part on Saturday, with the 'weight' they are carrying and their betting odds:
Runner Number
Name
Jockey
Odds
Weight
1
Tiger Roll
Davy Russell
5
11-10
2
Bristol De Mai
Daryl Jacob
20
11-8
3
Aso
Charlie Deutsch
66
11-2
4
Elegant Escape
Jonjo O’Neill Jr.
20
11-2
5
Anibale Fly
Barry Geraghty
20
11-2
6
Top Ville Ben
Tom Dowson
45
11-2
7
Beware The Bear
Jerry McGrath
33
11-0
8
Peregrine Run
Kevin Sexton
66
10-13
9
Jett
Sam Waley-Cohen
50
10-13
10
Alpha Des Obeaux
Richard Johnson
25
10-13
11
Total Recall
Paul Townend
40
10-13
12
The Storyteller
Keith Donoghue
40
10-12
13
Magic Of Light
Robbie Power
18
10-12
14
Talkischeap
Tom Cannon
25
10-11
15
Yala Enki
Bryony Frost
28
10-11
16
Ballyoptic
Sam Twiston-Davies
25
10-11
17
Burrows Saint
Rachael Blackmore
12
10-10
18
Definitly Red
Brian Hughes
14
10-10
19
Sub Lieutenant
JJ Slevin
33
10-9
20
Ok Corral
Derek O’Connor
25
10-9
21
Tout Est Permis
Sean Flanagan
80
10-9
22
Vintage Clouds
Danny Cook
33
10-8
23
Crievehill
Tom Bellamy
66
10-8
24
Lake View Lad
Henry Brooke
50
10-8
25
Jury Duty
Mark Enright
40
10-8
26
Pleasant Company
David Mullins
28
10-7
27
Acapella Bourgeois
Danny Mullins
33
10-6
28
Shattered Love
Lisa O'Neill
66
10-6
29
Any Second Now
Mark Walsh
10
10-6
30
Potters Corner
Jack Tudor
18
10-6
31
Dounikos
Luke Dempsey
50
10-5
32
Kildisart
Nico de Boinville
50
10-5
33
Death Duty
Gavin Brouder
50
10-5
34
Ramses De Teillee
Tom Scudamore
66
10-5
35
Valtor
James Bowen
66
10-4
36
Saint Xavier
David Maxwell
66
10-4
37
Warriors Tale
Harry Cobden
80
10-4
38
Double Shuffle
Jonathan Burke
100
10-4
39
Kimberlite Candy
Richie McLernon
16
10-4
40
Walk In The Mill
James Best
16
10-4
How is the race run?
Runners and riders race over the 30 fences they would take in the real Grand National.
The animation is created by Inspired Entertainment.
For more than 15 years, the company has been recreating the action and settings of some of the world’s most famous sporting events.
Their virtual sports are popular worldwide, appealing to a wide variety of players through more than 40,000 retail channels and 100+ websites in 35 countries.
Saturday's race will use the latest CGI technology and algorithms to produce a result based on data, including the runners’ form and going preferences.
Is it on TV?
The race will be broadcast at 5.15pm on ITV.
Richard Pitman, who nearly won the 1973 Grand National on Crisp, joins Nick Luck and guests for The Virtual Grand National TV special.
What are the odds and can I place a bet?
Yes- and bookmakers will be donating profits to the NHS Charities Group.
Discussions took place between major firms via the Betting and Gaming Council.
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