SAM TURNER’S GUIDE TO THE VIRTUAL RACE

TIGER ROLL 5-1 FAV

Four-time Cheltenham Festival winner and dual National hero with a great chance of completing an historic hat-trick. Worthy favourite.

BRISTOL DE MAI 20-1

Haydock specialist and placed in a Gold Cup but yet to tackle a stamina test of this nature and the final mile could stretch him.

• ASO 66-1

Struggling for form to date this season and yet to win beyond 2m 6f which leaves him vulnerable in this company.

ELEGANT ESCAPE 20-1

Mud-loving, dour stayer who failed to cut much ice in the Gold Cup. The perfect pick if you’re going stir crazy at home!

ANIBALE FLY 20-1

Fourth and fifth in the last two Nationals and caught the eye with a tidy effort over hurdles in his latest race. Decent each-way chance.

TOP VILLE BEN 45-1

Likeable staying chaser, well suited by a flat, galloping track. Difficult to say if he can last the distance, but jumps well. Lively outsider.

BEWARE THE BEAR 33-1

Useful chaser at his best and looks a likely type for this sort of race. But he’s failed to finish in three of his last four attempts at more than 3m 3f.

PEREGRINE RUN 66-1

Form suggests distances up to 3m on decent ground are optimum conditions so would need others to underperform to swoop here.

JETT 50-1

Has performed well against top-class company this season. Appears a lively outsider who may be worth an each-way punt.

ALPHA DES OBEAUX 25-1

A faller in this race in 2018 but did well over these Aintree fences in a pre-Christmas race, which gives him a puncher’s chance.

TOTAL RECALL 40-1

This is definitely one for Arnie fans and champion Irish jumps trainer Willie Mullins. On the downside, pulled up last year when favourite.

THE STORYTELLER 40-1

Classy performer who has successfully mixed racing over fences and hurdles. Big price, so what a story it would be if he’s there at the finish.

MAGIC OF LIGHT 18-1

Runner-up last year when largely unconsidered so, with stamina confirmed, another bold bid is on the cards. A touch of magic might just work this time.

TALKISCHEAP 25-1

Stamina is not really in doubt after a good win last spring, but after an operation to improve his breathing, can Talk walk the walk?

YALA ENKI 28-1

Confirmed mud-lover who stays well but would welcome plenty of rain to be a real threat. Hard to rule out if the virtual clouds open, though.

BALLYOPTIC 25-1

Fell four fences from home last year when under pressure. Lightly raced this campaign which could see ‘Optic’ in with a chance.

BURROWS SAINT 12-1

Impressive Irish National winner last spring and has largely flown under the radar. Boasts all the credentials to win the race and my top tip.

DEFINITLY RED 14-1

Just like the red half of Liverpool, performances this season suggest he is back to his best. Bookies could Kop it if this one romps home.

SUB LIEUTENANT 33-1

All of his best form has been in races over shorter distances and it’s hard to see him pulling rank in this virtual marathon.

OK CORRAL 25-1

No cowboy. Could be a big player in the shootout at the finish to give trainer Nicky Henderson his first (virtual) win in the race.

TOUT EST PERMIS 80-1

Beaten 61 lengths in last year’s Irish National, but if a miracle can be achieved here, then his backers will no doubt say tout est forgiven.

VINTAGE CLOUDS 33-1

Fell last year but really solid each-way prospect who could sweep away the clouds and bring some sunshine into his supporters’ lives.

CRIEVEHILL 66-1

Could be an uphill struggle as he has yet to tackle a 4m race. However, he may decide to go for it and put up a bold bid from the front.

LAKE VIEW LAD 50-1

Fancied by many to make an impact in last year’s National but failed to fire. If all goes well you could hear lots of shouts of ‘Come on, Lad’.

JURY DUTY 40-1

Got as far as the 18th fence last year. This time he’ll love the virtual good going. The verdict is a sound each-way bet, so worth a shot.

PLEASANT COMPANY 28-1

The 2018 runner-up has probably had his chance, but he’ll be what you’re like in the current lockdown at home if he delivers for you.

ACAPELLA BOURGEOIS 33-1

Impressive winner of a traditionally strong trail race. Back him at these odds and you could be singing while your winning!

SHATTERED LOVE 66-1

Talented mare capable of very decent form at trips up to and including 3m. This race looks too far but a win at this price and it could be Love actually.

ANY SECOND NOW 10-1

A Cheltenham Festival winner whose profile looks impressive. If he’s there at the end, just needs to time his challenge to perfection.

POTTERS CORNER 18-1

Welsh National hero and kept fresh for a tilt at this event since. Given a decent spin of the wheel, it could lead to another jackpot.

DOUNIKOS 50-1

Bolted up last year in a recognised National trial race in Ireland, but nowhere near that level since, including in last year’s National.

KILDISART 50-1

Back to form with a fine effort at Cheltenham recently. Won well at this meeting last year, so boasts decent claims — but price says it all.

DEATH DUTY 50-1

Excellent career strike-rate but lacking a lot to be fancied for this race. Some punters will like the odds and back it as a call of duty.

RAMSES DE TEILLEE 66-1

Has excelled on very soft ground in hurdle races this winter but like others would need the virtual heavens to open to stand any chance.

VALTOR 66-1

Failed to cut much ice in last year’s race, but has run to a good level this season in long-distance events, so could be worth a punt at the price.

SAINT XAVIER 66-1

French recruit who has displayed glimpses of ability over hurdles this term. His odds suggest that if he is in it at the end it will be ‘Saints alive!’

WARRIORS TALE 80-1

Well suited by a flat, galloping track, but has been pulled up in his last two outings and this might be one battle too many.

DOUBLE SHUFFLE 100-1

A big outsider at massive odds. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s in the frame. He would just have to play his cards right.

KIMBERLITE CANDY 16-1

Lots of people were very sweet on his chances in the real thing after some big efforts in major staying races. Time to suck it and see.

WALK IN THE MILL 16-1

Fourth behind Tiger Roll last year and came to life with cheekpieces applied in the Becher Chase. Big chance again if virtual headgear used.