The Virtual Grand National is back for 2019.
The CGI version of the race correctly called that Tiger Roll would take home the title last year.
This year's version has now taken place with Rathvinden finishing in first place with Tiger Roll coming second.
Third place went to Jury Duty followed by Anibale Fly coming fourth.
How the Virtual Grand National works?
The Virtual Grand National and Race of Champions have been developed with Inspired Entertainment’s Manchester based animation team. They use past form, the views of a panel of experts and the going and weather conditions to assess the likely outcome, but the computer makes the final decisions.
“Last year’s result was breathtaking,” said Steve Rogers of Inspired. “We were in disbelief for days afterwards. The races stand out on their own as sport and entertainment even without the extra ingredient of attempting to tell the nation where their favourite may finish.
“In 2017 the algorithm came up with six of the top 10 finishers and the runner-up in the real race won The Virtual Grand National. In 2018 it selected six of only 12 finishers and the winner.”
Grand National predictor - reveal where YOUR horse will finish at Aintree 2019
Richard Pitman, Aintree personality and near-winner on Crisp, will be alongside Alice Plunkett of ITV Racing as Nick Luck guides viewers through this unique TV format.
The 2019 Panel of Experts includes Bob Champion who famously won on Aldaniti, winning trainer Lucinda Russell, winning jockey Liam Treadwell and Lydia Hislop who has pitted her knowledge against the computer for the past three years.
The broadcast music legend (TOTP, The White Room; The Tube; Bowie at the Beeb) Chris Cowey directs for the third year with award winning Mark Alderton producing.
Creator of the concept Rob McLoughlin (VGN created with Inspired Entertainment) is Executive Producer with John Moulson and Peter Eaton, whose family won with Amberleigh House, is the Programme Consultant.
The Virtual Grand National will be televised on ITV1 and the ITV Hub, with coverage starting at 1pm.
