Virtual Grand National 2020 guide: runners, betting odds, start time, TV channel

The Grand National is being held at Aintree in Liverpool on Saturday. The big race is one of the many major sporting events cancelled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Virtual Grand National is being broadcast on ITV at 5 pm on Saturday. The real Grand Nats were cancelled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tiger Roll is the favourite to win the virtual version. Red Rum is favourite in the Race of Champions. The Week magazine offers an analysis of the biggest sport stories.

Virtual version of the Grand National has been held since 2017. Inspired Entertainment uses CGI technology and algorithms to generate a result. The virtual race will feature 40 horses and start time is at 7pm. In 2018 Inspired predicted Tiger Roll would win. In these difficult times the company wants the public to enjoy the race that never was.

Tiger Roll won the virtual and actual National in 2018. In 2017 Cause Of Causes won virtual but finished second in the real race. Last year Rathvinden was the winner of the Virtual Grand National and placed third in actual race, so the computer has been accurate.

The main Grand National is cancelled this year. The money from the virtual race will go to NHS Charities Together. AP McCoy won the 2010 Grand Nats. He hopes the public will support the initiative. He will be watching the race.

The Race of Champions CGI event will see 40 legendary horses race over the Aintree jumps. Three-time winner Red Rum and current back-to-back winner Tiger Roll will go head-on with 38 other champions. Aints legend Richard Pitman said it is the dream race. Rogers' team worked round the clock to make this year's event even more realistic.

Red Rum is the odds-on favourite to beat Tiger Roll in the Race of Champions. Red Rum has won the race three times. Tiger roll is priced at 3/2.

Tiger Roll is the current back-to-back winner of the Grand National. Bookmakers think Red Rum's record in the race will favour him.

The Virtual Grand National starts at 5.15pm. ITV 1 will broadcast the race on a special programme starting at 6pm, followed by the Race of Champions.

All profits from the Virtual Grand National 2020 will be donated to NHS Charities Together. Stakes will only be £10 per horse per customer. Tote will provide a pool on the race and donate profits to charity. David Brayshaw of GrandNational.org.uk takes Burrows Saint to beat Tiger Roll with Kimberlite Candy and Beware The Bear third and fourth.

Tiger Roll is the clear favourite at 5/1, ahead of Any Second Now (10/10), Burrows Saint (12/12) and 40 horses for Saturday's Virtual Grand National.