How To Watch The Virtual Grand National 2024
- Written by David Bet
Are you looking how to watch the 2024 Virtual Grand National? Unfortunately, ITV will not host a virtual Grand National race this Friday, April 12, 2024. Hence, horse racing fans can't follow the action in this year’s Virtual Grand National.
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What is the Virtual Grand National?
The Virtual Grand National is an accurate computer-simulation that see 40 virtual horses contesting the famous Aintree race. It satisfies the curiosity of sports fans who wonder what could happen in the real life.
Four years ago the Aintree showpiece was cancelled due to Covid. And all the attention was on the Virtual Grand National, a thrilling virtual race - very similar to the real one - produced by Inspired Gaming. The Race proved to be hugely popular with millions tuning in to see the computer-generated contest, won by Potters Corner.
Online bookmakers used the Virtual Grand National for charity in the last years. They raised approximately £3 million for National Health Service charities and €300,000 for medical charities in Ireland through donations from Inspired and all bookmaker operators as part of the fight against COVID-19.
Betting was capped at a maximum of £10 per horse – either as a £10 win or £10 each-way bet. No separate place betting was permitted.
There will be no such limits this year, so you can have a big win.
But most important, you can watch the entire race live on your TV, smartphone, tablet or computer.
How to watch the 2024 Virtual Grand National?
For the sixth consecutive year, Inspired Entertainment is producing the Virtual Grand National race to predict the outcome of the 2024 Grand National.
Anyway, ITV will not be televising the 2024 Virtual Grand National on Friday 12th April 2024 at 9:15pm GMT - just one day before the real race - as expected, and neither on April 13th at 1:00pm (GMT).
Of course, you can't watch online via ITV Hub.
Few years ago, ITV1 also broadcast a simulated ‘Race of Champions’, which will featured legendary previous winners. The race some way answered one of the great horse racing debates – who would have won between Tiger Roll and Red Rum in a Grand National?
Furthermore, Arkle - an Irish Grand National, three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and one of the greatest steeplechasers in horse racing history - made his debut in Inspired's Virtual Grand National Race of Champions. He was joined by other National Hunt legends such as Desert Orchid, Dawn Run, and Kauto Star.
What time is the 2024 Virtual Grand National?
This year the Virtual Grand National will not take place day the before the real race – Friday 12th April 2024 - at 9:15pm UK Time.
Furthermore, the race will not be screened on ITV 1 at 1pm ahead of the real race on Saturday, April 13.
Who is running the 2024 Virtual Grand National?
The 34 runners will be announced on the Thursday before the race, along with the prices that you can find below the list. You will find the official field below, alongside numbers, jockeys and weights.
Click below to find the 2024 Virtual Grand National Odds.
Can I bet on the Virtual Grand National 2024?
Few years ago online bookmakers set a £10 maximum bet, but this year everything will be different.
The top online betting sites will take bets on the Virtual Grand National:
- Coral Virtual Racing
- Ladbrokes Virtual Horse Racing
- Betfred Virtual Horse Racing
- William Hill Virtual Racing
- Betfair Virtual Grand National
- Paddy Power Virtual Grand National
- Boyle Virtual Grand National
... they are only few of those who will offer odds on the VGN 2024.
Are you thinking about placing a bet on the virtual edition of the most anticipated race of the year?
Click the image below to read our Virtual Grand National betting guide.
The Virtual Grand National is a virtual contest that has been held since 2017. The software, developed by Inspired, uses the latest CGI technology for a computer simulation of the race at Aintree, replicating it with winners and even fallers!
In agreement with the UK Gambling commission the race has been pre-recorded by production company Carm productions on behalf of ITV. Only a small number of people will know the outcome - all of who will be subject to strict confidentiality obligations. Meanwhile no licensed betting operator will be party to the result in line with strict gambling regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why the Virtual Grand National is so popular among racing fans?
Racing fans eagerly anticipate the virtual Grand National to see how accurate the simulated race is in comparison to the real thing. Moreover, the VGN has become a big fundraiser for NHS Charities Together, raising over £3million for the NHS since 2017.
What TV channel is the Virtual Grand National on?
This Virtual Grand National is usually broadcasted live on ITV One for viewers in the UK. Live streaming is also provided to subscribers via the ITV Hub website or app. You can watch the Virtual Grand National free live stream via any compatible electronic device (smartphone, smart TV, computers, etc..) at 9:15pm on Friday 12th April 2024.
Are you also wondering how to watch the Grand National - the real one - on Saturday? The Premium TV provider ITV racing will also provide the live coverage of the world's greatest steeplechase, the Randox Grand National from Aintree racecourse on Grand National Day at 4:005pm. Of course, coverage starts at least one hour before starting time.
Who won last year's Virtual Grand National?
Unfrotunately, No virtual race took place in 2023.
Who are the previous Grand National winners?
The inaugural Virtual Grand National tipped Cause Of Causes to win in 2017. The first winner of the VGN finished second in the real race, narrowly behind One For Arthur.
In 2018, the VGN correctly predicted the 10/1 shot Tiger Roll to win the big race. Actually, the Artificial Intelligence developed by Inspired Entertainment selected six of only 12 finishers and the winner of the famous race that year.
In 2019, Rathvinden came out top in the 2019 CGI race, followed by 2018 Grand National winner Tiger Roll. Rathvinden finished third in the real-life race, not bad at all!
The 2020 virtual race was won by Potters Corner but the real-world race was cancelled completely due to the COVID pandemic.
In 2021, Cloth Cap won the computer-generated race, while pulling up on the 28th fence in the real chase. This marked a rare blotch on the VGN's esteemed track record - the simulation has an impressive good track record so far.
Snow Leopardess was crowned champion in the Virtual Grand National 2022 last year. This was not reflected in the actual race itself (50/1 outsider Noble Yeats won the real race), but the computer got 2nd and 3rd places spot on with Any Second Now and Delta Work respectively.
