'Nooooooooo!' - the best of Twitter after a dramatic Virtual Grand National

The Virtual Grand National was top of the UK's Twitter trending list at teatime on Saturday as the public forgot the global coronavirus crisis for half an hour to watch a simulation of Britain's most engrossing horserace.

But as Potters Corner crossed the line, all the sympathy was heading to supporters of Aso. The 66-1 outsider was cruising in front before falling at the penultimate fence, and the emotions were captured in a 14-second clip posted on Twitter by Ed Bailey.

He was filming Charlie Deutsch, the jockey of Aso, watching his virtual representative. Deutsch cheered as he jumped in front, thinking he was safely over, before Aso stumbled and threw away his chance of Virtual National glory.

Videoed in his living room, wearing what a fashion label would describe as 'loungewear', Deutsch sat back in his armchair with a shocked expression and when asked for his reaction, he could only reply "disgraced".

In the aftermath, Deutsch tweeted "Nooooooooo!" from his account and then changed his Twitter profile picture to a screenshot of Aso's National fall, with his virtual jockey seen landing face first on the virtual Aintree turf. The Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) responded "Hope you had your gumshield in Charlie!"

The camp of Potters Corner were in a jubilant mood although keen to jokingly ask what their winning prize-money would be. Part-owner and former Wales rugby star Jonathan Davies tweeted "so is there Virtual Grand National prize-money?". Another rugby legend, Mike Tindall, was also in agreement, tweeting "Noooooooo!!! Claim the prize-money!!!!"

Potters Corner's trainer Christian Williams tweeted a photo with his two children, both on toy horses but wearing the victorious red, black and white silks of All Stars Sports Racing.

Meanwhile Tiger Roll's effort in fourth came in for plenty of criticism, not least from the favourite's own rider, Davy Russell. The jockey was kicking himself, tweeting "please don't send him on again", due to his runner being positioned prominently throughout the race.

Afterwards Russell revealed potential tension in the camp, posting "Ah Jesus, Gordon Elliott (@gelliott_racing) is after breaking the telly."

Some Twitter users were asking the BHA stewards to look into the race, as Tiger Roll had completed the virtual race of champions only minutes before the National.

There was some post-race optimism from Richard Johnson, who said: "Well I got round, I'll take that." The multiple champion jockey has had 21 rides without a winner in the big race, and that would now be 25 if you were to include the virtual equivalents.

Top tweets

One word says it all for Aso's jockey Charlie Deutsch, who fell when leading.

And here is the live reaction from Deutsch.

But there was jubilation in the Christian Williams household after Potters Corner won the race.

And one of Potters Corner's owners is after some virtual prize-money.

And another happy part-owner, Wales rugby star Jonathan Davies.

Davy Russell was unhappy with the ride given by his virtual representative, racing too prominently on Tiger Roll who eventually finished fourth.

Daryl Jacob was luckily unhurt after he and Bristol De Mai fell. The BHA announced jump racing would be suspended until July earlier this week and Jacob is looking to be back in action then.

Richard Johnson found the positives in his 16th place finish aboard Alpha Des Obeaux.

More 2020 Virtual Grand National news:

2020 Virtual Grand National: Potters Corner wins the big race at Aintree

2020 Virtual Grand National full result: where your horse finished and who won

Bookmakers have pledged to donate any profits from betting on the Virtual Grand National to the NHS Charities COVID-19 Urgent Appeal. You can donate to this important cause here