With the Grand National cancelled this year because of the coronavirus outbreak, the virtual version of the race will take centre stage this afternoon.
Bookmarkers are pledging to donate all profits from bets on the contest to the NHS and many fans around the country are setting up sweepstakes of their own to lift the isolation gloom.
Here we run through all 40 virtual runners ahead of the race, which will be shown live on ITV1 from 5pm...
Standard Sport’s three to follow
- Kimberlite Candy – 16/1
- Walk In The Mill – 16/1
- Acapella Bourgeois – 33/1
Runner-by-runner guide
Tiger Roll – 5/1
Two-time Grand National hero (1st and 2nd in the virtual equivalents) and four-time Cheltenham Festival winner. Carries top weight but ground has come in his favour.
Bristol De Mai – 20/1
Classy operator with multiple Grade 1 successes to his name, but winless this season and possibly past his best.
Aso – 66/1
Second in 2019 Ryanair but shown nothing like that form this year. Big stamina concerns, having never won over more than 2m5.
Elegant Escape – 20/1
Dour stayer won Welsh version of this race in 2018 but well beaten in this season’s equivalent. Encouraging Newbury run in November followed by three disappointing displays.
Anibale Fly – 20/1
Finished dead last on all three chase starts this season, albeit in Grade One company each time. As a result, carries eight pounds less than when fifth last year and could be a player.
Top Ville Ben – 45/1
Decent form as a novice last year and an impressive Grade 3 winner at Wetherby at Christmas but finished almost 30 lengths adrift of Bristol De Mai when up in class last time.
Beware The Bear – 33/1
A Cheltenham Festival winner in 2019, very lightly campaigned this year with best effort being fourth in the Ladbrokes Trophy.
Peregrine Run – 66/1
Strange inclusion, having not actually met the real-life qualifying criteria. Very successful campaign as a summer horse in 2019 so ground should suit but trip a huge worry.
Jett – 50/1
Campaigned in lofty company this season and while ultimately proven to be short of top class is clearly improved and a consistent performer.
Alpha Des Obeaux – 25/1
Has tidy enough form from race at Down Royal in November and ran well over the National fences when third here in December.
Total Recall – 40/1
Former Ladbrokes winner looked to have lost his way but returned to form with superb display at Gowran in January. Looks overpriced on that effort.
The Storyteller – 40/1
Good form over fences last season before being campaigned over hurdles to protect mark this year. Extremely close to Cheltenham success last time out and looks value.
Magic Of Light – 18/1
Talented mare who was runner-up to Tiger Roll last season and comes in on four pounds better terms this year. Could go close.
Talkischeap – 25/1
Useful novice who won a big handicap at Sandown last year but highly disappointing on both starts this season. Would take a leap of faith to back at the price.
Yala Enki – 28/1
No concerns about trip or jumping but needs soft or even heavy ground and will not get it.
Ballyoptic – 25/1
Smart winner of the Charlie Hall Chase in November, one of three successes this season, but fell in this last year and ran poorly here in December, too.
Burrows Saint – 12/1
Last year’s Irish National winner heads the Willie Mullins challenge and clearly aimed here from a long way out. Excellent chance.
Definitly Red – 14/1
High-class chaser earlier in his career before prolonged dip in form, but win at Kelso in February marked best display in two years and could be well-handicapped.
Sub Lieutenant – 33/1
Tough to make a case for given finished fourth on only start this season, beaten seven lengths by the winner, Acapella Bourgeois, who is off lighter mark here.
Ok Corrall – 25/1
A talented horse but temperament questioned. Huge disappointment in the Ladbrokes, though did return to winning ways last time out.
Tout Est Permis – 80/1
Impressed in hurdles this season, including when third at Cheltenham last time, but did not relish extreme stamina test in Irish National last year.
Vintage Clouds – 33/1
Impressive Haydock winner in January but made little impression in the Ultima at Cheltenham last month and has failed to complete on last two Aintree starts.
Crievehill – 66/1
Two smart wins at the back end of 2019 but heavily punished by the handicapper for the second of those successes.
Lake View Lad – 50/1
Excellent through last season but pulled up in the National after being hampered. Steadier campaign this year, but would want softer ground.
Jury Duty – 40/1
Unseated rider when well-backed last year before being pulled up in Irish equivalent two weeks later. Made little mark this season.
Pleasant Company – 28/1
Beaten a nose after a storming finish two years ago and travelling well last year until unseating four out. Time not on his side, though.
Acapella Bourgeois – 33/1
Triumphed over a good field in the Bobbyjo last time out and only six lengths behind the Gold Cup winner at Tramore on New Year’s Day. Too big a price.
Shattered Love – 66/1
Mare plagued by inconsistency and all best form, including JLT win, has come over much shorter.
Any Second Now – 10/1
Second favourite looks well in at the weights having won impressively since they came out, albeit over two miles. Cheltenham Festival winner last year.
Potters Corner – 18/1
A ready winner of the Welsh National at Christmas, comes here fresh and still off a lenient mark. Big chance.
Dounikos – 50/1
Pulled up in three of last four starts, beaten 20 lengths in the other. Unbackable.
Kildisart – 50/1
Ran a massive race to be second in the Ultima last month, which usually proves a good National trial, and won at Aintree meeting last year. Outside chance.
Death Duty – 50/1
Returned in unspectacular fashion this season after two years off the track and massively unproven at the trip.
Ramses De Teillee – 66/1
Stays all day and impressive in novice hurdles this season but another who would want more testing ground.
Valtor – 66/1
Last but-one of the finishers twelve months ago having knackered handicap mark by bolting up on British debut. Carries more than a stone less this time but plenty to find.
Saint Xavier – 66/1
Just one chase run on British soil when beaten 52 lengths by Definitly Red. Does not look a National horse let alone a winner.
Warriors Tale – 80/1
Pulled up in each of the last two Nationals and though he has won over the fences, does not seem to enjoy the extended trip.
Double Shuffle – 100/1
Second in a King George back in 2017 but has produced nothing like that form recently. Price reflects chance.
Kimberlite Candy – 16/1
Second over the National fences in the Becher this season and form of Grade 3 win at Warwick has worked out well. Huge chance.
Walk In The Mill – 16/1
Ran a big race in fourth last year and won the Becher at Aintree back in December. A major player.
