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ITV set to screen a Virtual Aintree Grand National next Saturday

ITV will broadcast a "Virtual Grand National" next Saturday, with three in-a-row bidding Tiger Ro...



ITV set to screen a Virtual Ai...
Racing

ITV set to screen a Virtual Aintree Grand National next Saturday

ITV will broadcast a "Virtual Grand National" next Saturday, with three in-a-row bidding Tiger Roll will be among the 40 horse virtual field.

The computer simulation will air at 5pm - in the place of the famous Aintree steeplechase, which was cancelled due to the coronavirus.

"It's very sad not to have the real race, but Inspired's virtual race is fascinating and fun and has proven since 2017 to be incredibly accurate," ITV's Executive producer Rob McLoughlin said of the upcoming broadcast.

"It is brave to preview the most unpredictable race of all, but also great fun. In these difficult times we want the public to simply enjoy the race that sadly never was and think about what might have been."

There will also be a race of champions, featuring dual winners Red Rum and Tiger Roll.

"It is the dream race, the one everyone will want to see, the legend and the competitor head-to-head and it can only happen as part of this ITV special," said Richard Pitman, who went agonisingly close to winning the National on Crisp in 1973 when caught close home by Red Rum.

"Both Red Rum and Tiger Roll were trained for the Flat, both are small and both have found a natural home over the Aintree jumps, so to see them compete with 38 other famous legends over the real course and famous fences will be magnificent."

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