Potters carries Welsh hopes in Virtual National

POTTERS Corner will carry the hopes of Wales when ITV show a virtual Grand National today.

With the real thing cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic that has seen all jump racing in Britain suspended until at least the end of July, the Virtual Grand National has captured the imagination, with all bookmaker profits to be donated to NHS charities.

To be screened in a special programme on ITV from 5pm today, the race promises to use the latest CGI technology and best information available to produce the most accurate outcome possible.

Christian Williams-trained Potters Corner, the Coral Welsh Grand National winner, is co-owned by Wales rugby star Jonathan Davies and the All Stars Racing syndicate, and will be sure to have supporters.

But the groundswell of the country’s support will be behind Tiger Roll, who would have been bidding for a hat-trick in the big race.

Davy Russell would again have been the man in the saddle on Gordon Elliott’s superstar at Aintree.

He said: “It’s a great way of creating money for the NHS, it’s great they are distributing the profits that way and it’s pleasing to hear the NHS are going to benefit from it, so that’s brilliant.

“It’s tough times, there are a lot of people sitting at home and hopefully it will give them something to enjoy and watch.”

One rider chasing a first National victory - even if it is a virtual one - is Richard Johnson. The multiple champion jockey partners Alpha Des Obeaux.