Taking place in April each year, the Aintree Grand National and its foreboding fences tower above every other event on the British calendar. Edging ever closer to its 200th anniversary, the race is nothing short of a national institution. Since 2017, the race has also had a virtual twin.
Of course, virtual horse racing is nothing new, with pixelated action first peppering bookmakers’ screens in the early 2000s. However, whereas entirely fictional horses populate those races – the Matthew McConaNeighs and Hoof Hearteds of the world – the Virtual Grand National is contested by virtual representations of the real thing. Each year, the Virtual Grand National features the same list of runners and riders as the real thing.
So, if the horses and course are virtual interpretations of the real-world race, what about the result? When determining the result of the Virtual Grand National, race creators Inspired Entertainment weigh up many of the factors which apply to the real race, i.e., form, going, jumping ability, and so on. These variables are fed into a closely guarded algorithm, which uses a weighted Random Number Generator to produce a result that is often impressively close to its real-world counterpart.
A fine spectacle, unaffected by the weather, and a race in which all of the fallers emerge unscathed, the Virtual Grand National has carved out its own place in the history of the great race. And yes, you can bet on it.
2022
- 1st – Snow Leopardess, Jockey: Aidan Coleman, Trainer: Charlie Longsdon
- 2nd – Any Second Now, Jockey: Mark Walsh, Trainer: Ted Walsh
- 3rd – Delta Work, Jockey: Jack Kennedy, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- 4th – Minella Times, Jockey: Rachael Blackmore, Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
2021
- 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
2020
- 1st – Potters Corner 18/1, Jockey: Jack Tudor, Trainer: Christian Williams
- 2nd – Walk In The Mill 16/1, Jockey: James Best, Trainer: Robert Walford
- 3rd – Any Second Now 10/1, Jockey: Mark Walsh, Trainer: Ted Walsh
- 4th – Tiger Roll 5/1, Jockey: Davy Russell, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
2019
- 1st - Rathvinden (IRE) 8/1, Jockey: Ruby Walsh, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 2nd - Tiger Roll (IRE) 4/1F, Jockey: Davy Russell, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- 3rd - Jury Duty (IRE) 10/1, Jockey: Robbie Power, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- 4th - Anibale Fly (FR) 10/1, Jockey: Mark Walsh, Trainer: Tony Martin
2018
- 1st - Tiger Roll (IRE) 10/1, Jockey: Davy Russell, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- 2nd - Chase The Spud 25/1, Jockey: Paddy Brennan, Trainer: Fergal O'Brien
- 3rd - Total Recall (IRE) 7/1F, Jockey: Paul Townend, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 4th - Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) 25/1, Jockey: Charlie Deutsch, Trainer: Venetia Williams
2017
- 1st - Cause of Causes (USA) 16/1, Jockey: Mr J J Codd, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- 2nd - Pleasant Company (IRE) 11/1, Jockey: Ruby Walsh, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 3rd - Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) 12/1, Jockey: Tom Scudamore, Trainer: David Pipe
- 4th - Vicente (FR) 16/1, Jockey: Brian Hughes, Trainer: Paul Nicholls