Virtual Grand National Day
The Glam National Ladies’ Day..at home
Information about all the horses is fed into the software
THOUSANDS of race fans were all dressed up with nowhere to go yesterday after the Grand National Ladies’ Day was cancelled.
But glamorous punters who had spent months planning their outfits were determined to put on a show.
And they were invited by organisers to join a “Grand Day In” by posting pictures of themselves in their finery for an online version of Aintree's annual Style Award.
So they got themselves ready, poured a glass of bubbly, and brought Ladies' Day to their living rooms.
Mirror columnist and Olympic hockey gold medallist Sam Quek, said: “As a proud Scouser, I was gutted when the Grand National Festival was cancelled.
“This has given me the chance to get the dress, heels and hat that I was going to wear out of the wardrobe and it's brilliant to see others doing the same.”
The world's greatest steeplechase has fallen victim to the Covid-19 lockdown and been scrapped until 2021.
But millions are still expected to watch a virtual version of the Grand National later today, in which Irish-trained and owned Tiger Roll, who has won the last two real-life Grand Nationals, is the favourite to romp home.
And families can still have a flutter on the computer-generated race, which is screened from 5pm on ITV 1.
The Virtual Grand National is a computer-simulated version of the race, designed by tech firm Inspired Entertainment.
They have used CGI to recreate all aspects of the race, such as the course layout and the unforgiving fences. Steve
Rogers, chief commercial officer for virtual sports at Inspired, said: “Information about the horses is fed into the software, which helps to determine the probability of their potential finishing positions. This probability is based on their performance in other races.”
Bookies in the UK will take bets up to a maximum of £10 each way, and give all profits to the NHS.
The male and female Style Award is open until midday on Monday and winners announced that afternoon.
Dickon White, regional director for
STEVE ROGERS ON HOW VIRTUAL RACE IS RUN
Jockey Club Racecourses North West, said: “We’ve been blown away with the entries so far.”
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