By Hugh Dunnett, Crime Correspondent
Today’s Virtual Grand National is at the centre of a doping scandal after favourite Tiger Roll woke up this morning feeling and looking a little weird.
The computerised horse was expected to romp home for his third consecutive Grand National win.
But a massive betting syndicate is believed to have got to his virtual stable and turned him into a plodding donkey. He was photographed (see above) by his trainer this morning.
Horse racing pundit Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “Running the race in the virtual world has led to new problems.
“Security of the horses is not as high as the real thing, and at 5-1 to win, Tiger Roll became an easy target.
“He now looks like Eeyore and will not be troubling the front runners.”
The Virtual Grand National is live on ITV from 5pm, with all profits from the bookies pledged to the NHS.