Millions watch Potters Corner ‘complete’ National double Tiger Roll fourth as viewers tune in for ITV simulationPotters Corner became the nearest thing we will see to a Grand National winner this year when he was declared the winner of ITV’s Virtual Grand National on Saturday evening. The computer simulation was broadcast in the slot that would normally be occupied by the Aintree race, abandoned along with the rest of the sporting programme because of the coronavirus crisis, and the result was disappointment for any romantics who hoped that Tiger Roll might be allowed to win, thus completing a hat-trick of sorts.
The winner of the actual National for the last two years, Tiger Roll was the 5-1 favourite for this virtual race and his backers were given plenty of encouragement when he was shown in the lead at The Chair fence just before halfway. Davy Russell, who rides the horse, was possibly quite offended by that, as he has been scrupulously patient for the past two years, waiting until at least the third-last to hit the front.