Virtual Grand National to run before real event in 2021

The Virtual Grand National (VGN) – which proved a popular replacement for the real thing when it was cancelled due to COVID-19 12 months ago – is set to be televised again on ITV in April.

While former jockey Bob Champion is looking forward to ‘riding’ in the Race Of Champions – which will again be part of the programme – 40 years on from his famous win aboard Aldaniti.

Full details on the Liverpool Echo website.

Virtual Grand National to replace the real thing

With this year’s Aintree Grand National cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Virtual Grand National has galloped to the rescue to replace it.

This computer-version of the famous race is produced by Carm Productions and is created using advanced computer graphics and sophisticated algorithms to predict the outcome based on data about the runners.

The Virtual Grand National has been run each year since 2017 alongside the real thing and has a consistently good record of predicting the winners. This year’s virtual race features Aintree legends Red Rum and Tiger Roll against the other competitors.

Carm executive producer Rob McLoughlin grew up in Maghull, near Aintree. This is a project close to his heart.  “We use the latest CGI technology and algorithms and were ready to go ahead as a forerunner to the big race, but now we want to cheer the nation up and ask the computer if history could have been made.”

The Virtual Grand National will be broadcast by ITV at 5.00pm on April 4, 2020. More details and how to watch the race, visit the ITV website here.

The Virtual Grand National – the future is here

Carm Productions’s Virtual Grand National correctly predicted that Tiger Roll would win the Grand National at Aintree on 14 April. It was a notable achievement given that the odds on the horse winning were 10-1.

For more, see the story  on Prolific North

Meanwhile, The Racing Post hailed the Virtual Grand National as a view of the future. For their background on the achievement, see The Racing Post story here.

 

Red Rum to run again!

The Virtual Grand National is back and this year features Red Rum racing again.

The Virtual Grand National, from CARM Producttions, will be broadcast on ITV4 at 8pm on 13 April, 2018, repeated Saturday morning14 April on  ITV4. The race highlights will be broadcast during ITV’s main Grand National coverage.

See the full story here and click below for the video trailer.