Virtual Grand National
by: Racing EditorPosted on:

Virtual Grand National 2020: Results & Runners

Virtual Grand National

There was a significant hole in the springtime racing calendar in 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic seeing the Aintree Grand National cancelled for the first time since the Second World War (not counting the voided race of 1993). In the absence of the real thing, the Virtual Grand National assumed top billing, with the nation keen to keep the great tradition going during testing times. Over 4.5 million tuned in to watch, while the bookmaking industry donated all profits to the NHS – an amount totalling £2.6 million.

As to the race itself, the 40-runner field contained the most likely real-world contenders. Tiger Roll, the Aintree hero of 2018 and 2019, was installed as favourite, having finished first in the 2018 Virtual Grand National and second in the 2019 edition. Others towards the head of the market included the 2019 Kim Muir Challenge Cup winner Any Second Now, 2019 Becher Chase champ Walk In The Mill, and Burrows Saint, who carried the hopes of the all-conquering Willie Mullins. Further down the list, Potters Corner was an interesting each-way option, having won the Welsh Grand National on his most recent real-world appearance.

Result

  • 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

Recap

Talkischeap and Ballyoptic made their way to the lead in the opening exchanges, followed by Becher Chase winner Walk In The Mill out wide and Warriors Tale towards the centre of the track. The Storyteller and Top Ville Ben also raced prominently as the field cleared fence number three.

Talkischeap continued to set the pace as the runners tackled Becher’s Brook for the first time. Burrows Saint made a move from the centre of the pack to take closer order under Rachael Blackmore. Magic Of Light, Aso, and Total Recall all travelled nicely just off the leaders.

We had a new leader at halfway as Tiger Roll hit the front under virtual Davy Russell. Aso moved up to join him towards the inside rail, with Burrows Saint, Magic Of Light, and Top Ville Ben also in contention.

Taking Canal Turn for the final time, Burrows Saint had forged into the lead ahead of Aso, with a small gap back to Tiger Roll, Magic Of Light, and Any Second Now. Looking further back, Potters Corner began to make some headway from midfield.

Tiger Roll was the first to kick for home and took the lead over the third-last. Aso and The Storyteller sat second and third, with Walk In The Mill and Potters Corner making up the next wave of two. Tiger Roll began to tire under top weight, as Aso was the latest to take the lead. However, his challenge ended when falling at the second-last, handing the initiative back to the 2018 winner.

However, it was Welsh Grand National hero Potters Corner who was finishing to best effect. Taking the lead over the last, he stormed around the elbow under Jack Tudor to open up a five-length lead. Walk In The Mill ran on well and was eating into the lead, but the line came in time for Potters Corner. Any Second Now stayed on past Tiger Roll to take third.

Runners

  • 1. Tiger Roll – SP: 5/1, Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Jockey: Davy Russell
  • 2. Bristol De Mai – SP: 20/1, Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies, Jockey: Daryl Jacob
  • 3. Aso – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Venetia Williams, Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
  • 4. Elegant Escape – SP: 20/1, Trainer: Colin Tizzard, Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr.
  • 5. Anibale Fly – SP: 20/1, Trainer: Tony Martin, Jockey: Barry Geraghty
  • 6. Top Ville Ben – SP: 45/1, Trainer: Philip Kirby, Jockey: Tom Dowson
  • 7. Beware The Bear – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Nicky Henderson, Jockey: Jerry McGrath
  • 8. Peregrine Run – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Peter Fahey, Jockey: Kevin Sexton
  • 9. Jett – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Jessica Harrington, Jockey: Sam Waley-Cohen
  • 10. Alpha Des Obeaux – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Jockey: Richard Johnson
  • 11. Total Recall – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Paul Townend
  • 12. The Storyteller – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Jockey: Keith Donoghue
  • 13. Magic Of Light – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Jessica Harrington, Jockey: Robbie Power
  • 14. Talkischeap – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Alan King, Jockey: Tom Cannon
  • 15. Yala Enki – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Bryony Frost
  • 16. Ballyoptic – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies, Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
  • 17. Burrows Saint – SP: 12/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
  • 18. Definitly Red – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Brian Ellison, Jockey: Brian Hughes
  • 19. Sub Lieutenant – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Henry De Bromhead, Jockey: JJ Slevin
  • 20. Ok Corral – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Nicky Henderson, Jockey: Derek O’Connor
  • 21. Tout Est Permis – SP: 80/1, Trainer: Noel Meade, Jockey: Sean Flanagan
  • 22. Vintage Clouds – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Sue Smith, Jockey: Danny Cook
  • 23. Crievehill – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies, Jockey: Tom Bellamy
  • 24. Lake View Lad – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Nick Alexander, Jockey: Henry Brooke
  • 25. Jury Duty – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Jockey: Mark Enright
  • 26. Pleasant Company – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: David Mullins
  • 27. Acapella Bourgeois – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Danny Mullins
  • 28. Shattered Love – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Jockey: Lisa O’Neill
  • 29. Any Second Now – SP: 10/1, Trainer: Ted Walsh, Jockey: Mark Walsh
  • 30. Potters Corner – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Christian Williams, Jockey: Jack Tudor
  • 31. Dounikos – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Jockey: Luke Dempsey
  • 32. Kildisart – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Ben Pauling, Jockey: Nico de Boinville
  • 33. Death Duty – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Jockey: Gavin Brouder
  • 34. Ramses De Teillee – SP: 66/1, Trainer: David Pipe, Jockey: Tom Scudamore
  • 35. Valtor – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Nicky Henderson, Jockey: James Bowen
  • 36. Saint Xavier – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: David Maxwell
  • 37. Warriors Tale – SP: 80/1, Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Harry Cobden
  • 38. Double Shuffle – SP: 100/1, Trainer: Tom George, Jockey: Jonathan Burke
  • 39. Kimberlite Candy – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Tom Lacey, Jockey: Richie McLernon
  • 40. Walk In The Mill – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Robert Walford, Jockey: James Best