Like virtual horse racing, virtual greyhounds and virtual football, it's just another way the bookies have fools parting with their money. Apparently the virtual market is based on numbers. So, despite the fact that recent form will be shown, it is a lottery. When I used to frequent my local bookies, I often found it both amusing and sad to hear the regular punters cheer encouragingly as their 'virtual' horse made a move toward the head of the pack.