Sporting the famous Trevor Hemmings silks, Cloth Cap was the big gamble in the run-up to the 2021 Grand National. Successful in the Ladbrokes Trophy and Premier Chase, his strong form made him a leading contender in the virtual edition – particularly as two-time real-world winner and 2018 virtual champion Tiger Roll did not return to defend his crown.
JP McManus was strongly represented in the virtual national with seven runners carrying the green and gold silks. Of that septet, Any Second Now looked particularly dangerous following his ten-length win in a Grade 2 event at Navan. Of the other McManus runners, Minella Times snuck in towards the foot of the weights and had the benefit of a virtual Rachael Blackmore in the saddle. The Willie Mullins-trained Burrows Saint also looked likely to earn points from the prediction algorithm, having finished second in the informative Bobbyjo Chase on his previous appearance.
Result
- 1st – Cloth Cap, Jockey: Tom Scudamore, Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill
- 2nd – Kimberlite Candy, Jockey: Richie McLernon, Trainer: Tom Lacey
- 3rd – Any Second Now, Jockey: Mark Walsh, Trainer: Ted Walsh
- 4th – Burrows Saint, Jockey: Mr P W Mullins, Trainer: Willie Mullins
2021 Virtual Grand National vs 2021 Grand National
The 2021 Virtual Grand National agreed with the punting public. The 11/2 favourite in the real-world event, Cloth Cap, came home in front on his first experience with the virtual Aintree fences. Although effective in Inspired Entertainment’s Manchester studio, Cloth Cap couldn’t repeat the trick on Merseyside. Racing prominently for much of the race, the mount of Tom Scudamore stumbled four from home and was pulled up before the next fence.
It was a similar story for Virtual Grand National runner-up, Kimberlite Candy, who didn’t fare anything like so well in the real thing. Repeatedly hampered during the race, he was pulled up at the fourth-last fence by Richie McLernon.
The prediction algorithm missed the target with the first and second. However, it was spot on when it came to the third and fourth, with Any Second Now and Burrows Saint filling those positions in both the virtual race and the main event later in the afternoon.
| Position | Virtual Grand National 2021 | Real Grand National 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cloth Cap | Minella Times |
| 2 | Kimberlite Candy | Balko Des Flos |
| 3 | Any Second Now | Any Second Now |
| 4 | Burrows Saint | Burrows Saint |
The 2021 Grand National was notable for two things. Firstly, the Aintree contest took place against the backdrop of empty stands as a result of the global pandemic – no such restrictions affected the virtual racegoers.
Secondly, and more memorably, Rachael Blackmore wrote her name into the history books when becoming the first female jockey to win the great race. Her mount, Minella Times, also performed well in the virtual version; his fifth-place finish added to a solid performance by the prediction model. Real-life runner-up Balko Des Flos was the only real-world top four finisher overlooked by the algorithm; the 100/1 shot finished second to complete a one-two for Irish trainer Henry De Bromhead.
Runners
- 1. Bristol De Mai – Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies, Jockey: Daryl Jacob
- 2. Chris’s Dream – Trainer: Henry De Bromhead, Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe
- 3. Yala Enki – Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Bryony Frost
- 4. Ballyoptic – Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies, Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
- 5. Definitely Red – Trainer: Brian Ellison, Jockey: Ryan Mania
- 6. Lake View Lad – Trainer: Nick Alexander, Jockey: Brian Hughes
- 7. Burrows Saint – Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Mr P W Mullins
- 8. Magic Of Light – Trainer: Mrs John Harrington, Jockey: Robbie Power
- 9. Acapella Bourgeois – Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Danny Mullins
- 10. Talkischeap – Trainer: Alan King, Jockey: Tom Cannon
- 11. Tout Est Permis – Trainer: Noel Meade, Jockey: Sean Flanagan
- 12. Anibale Fly – Trainer: Tony Martin, Jockey: Denis O’Regan
- 13. Mister Malarky – Trainer: Colin Tizzard, Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
- 14. Kimberlite Candy – Trainer: Tom Lacey, Jockey: Richie McLernon
- 15. Any Second Now – Trainer: Ted Walsh, Jockey: Mark Walsh
- 16. Balko Des Flos – Trainer: Henry De Bromhead, Jockey: Aidan Coleman
- 17. Alpha Des Obeaux – Trainer: Mrs Denise Foster, Jockey: Jody McGarvey
- 18. Ok Corral – Trainer: Nicky Henderson, Jockey: Mr Derek O’Connor
- 19. Takingrisks – Trainer: Nicky Richards, Jockey: Sean Quinlan
- 20. Shattered Love – Trainer: Mrs Denise Foster, Jockey: Kevin Sexton
- 21. Jett – Trainer: Mrs John Harrington, Jockey: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen
- 22. Lord Du Mesnil – Trainer: Richard Hobson, Jockey: Nick Schofield
- 23. Potters Corner – Trainer: Christian Williams, Jockey: Jack Tudor
- 24. Class Conti – Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Brian Hayes
- 25. Milan Native – Trainer: Mrs Denise Foster, Jockey: Mr J J Codd
- 26. Discorama – Trainer: Paul Nolan, Jockey: Bryan Cooper
- 27. Vieux Lion Rouge – Trainer: David Pipe, Jockey: Conor O’Farrell
- 28. Cloth Cap – Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill, Jockey: Tom Scudamore
- 29. Cabaret Queen – Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Sean O’Keeffe
- 30. Minellacelebration – Trainer: Katy Price, Jockey: Ben Poste
- 31. Canelo – Trainer: Alan King, Jockey: Tom Bellamy
- 32. The Long Mile – Trainer: Philip Dempsey, Jockey: Luke Dempsey
- 33. Give Me A Copper – Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Seann Bowen
- 34. Farclas – Trainer: Mrs Denise Foster, Jockey: Jack Kennedy
- 35. Minella Times – Trainer: Henry De Bromhead, Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
- 36. Sub Lieutenant – Trainer: Georgie Howell, Jockey: Tabitha Worsley
- 37. Hogan’s Height – Trainer: Jamie Snowden, Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
- 38. Double Shuffle – Trainer: Tom George, Jockey: Jonathan Burke
- 39. Ami Desbois – Trainer: Graeme McPherson, Jockey: Kielan Woods
- 40. Blaklion – Trainer: Dan Skelton, Jockey: Harry Skelton