Mounted by 17-year-old Jack Tudor, the 18-1 shot delayed a late Walk in the Mill challenge, with a discolored Tiger Roll settling for fourth place.
Using the latest CGI technology and special algorithms, the race was broadcast live on the British terrestrial broadcaster ITV, with 40 runners in search of virtual glory and nearly five million spectators.
Tiger Roll, with jockey Davy Russell, triumphed at Aintree in 2018 and 2019, and hoped to emulate the legendary Red Rum with a third victory in the grueling six-kilometer (6.4 km) race with 30 difficult fences until the decision to cancel the race on March 16.
In the CGI version, Tiger Roll appeared to have every chance of winning after shock leader Aso suffered a heavy fall with two fences remaining, but fell in the longest weight at the finish station in Aintree.
Tudor, who drove Potters Corner to victory at the Welsh Grand National last year, would have been the youngest Grand National winner since 1938 if a real race had matched the virtual one.
The previous Grand National computer simulations were surprisingly accurate given the unpredictability of the race, with the 2018 version won by the next winner Tiger Roll.
Potters Corner coach Christian Williams was aiming for Aintree's success after winning the Welsh Grand National but now has to wait a year to see if it can become a reality.
"I'm thrilled, it's great and great to comfort everyone in the tough times - - I think even the people outside the race were listening," said Williams.
"It was something for people to applaud, people are stuck in their homes and he probably had good vision. It was something to watch together and have a few jokes leading up to it."
Limited bets were allowed on the race, with a maximum bet of £ 10 (USD 12), the bookmakers announced Sunday that £ 2.6 million ($ 3.12 million) had been raised, the profits being donated to National Health Service charities.
As a precursor to the big event, a Champion of Champions race was organized, leading to the victory of Red Rum, triple winner in the 1970s, with the hero of the 19th century Manifesto in second and Tiger Roll in third.
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