YOU’RE ALRIGHT JACK

Five million watch Potters Corner virtually win the National

ALMOST five million people watched the Virtual Grand National — showing just how the greatest race in the world grips the nation.

ITV reported amazing viewing figures of 4.8m – more than the 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup and last year’s Derby put together.

Even the pulling power of Frankie Dettori and Enable came up short as 940,000 watched the mare in her attempt to win a third Prix de l’arc de Triomphe when she finished second.

Saturday’s virtual race also raised at least £2.6m for NHS Charities Together via the profits from bookmakers.

Meanwhile, although winning “jockey” Jack Tudor had nothing to show for his efforts on Potters Corner, his sister Alice pocketed £200 from backing her brother. Tudor, 17, technically would not have ridden Potters Corner in the real National as he was two winners short of the 10 required over fences.

But after watching himself win, right, a bewildered Tudor said: “It was pretty weird sat at home watching it with my family. But my sister Alice won £200 or so.

“It was exciting to watch, as it’s virtual you never know quite what’s going to happen, he might have gone through the wing at the last, it was all happening.

“It was close at the end but I’m glad we held on. And it shows he would have had a chance for real.”

As for the traditional parading of the National winner, winning trainer Christian Williams revealed: “He’s in the field with two foals. I’m delighted, it’s great to cheer everyone up in tough times – I think even people from outside of racing were tuned in.

“It was something to watch together and have a bit of banter leading up to it.” Gordon Elliott, the trainer of Tiger Roll seeking an historic third successive victory in the race, was reported by the horse’s rider Davy Russell to have kicked in his TV after the horse was only fourth on Saturday.

And Conservative MP Philip Davies secured the winning bid of £2,000 for commentator Stewart Machin’s racecard.

The proceeds, like the bookies’ profits, will go to the NHS.