Charity is £2.6m Aintree winner
ALMOST five million people tuned in to watch Saturday’s Virtual Grand National won by 18-1 shot Potters Corner, as more than £2.6million was raised for NHS Charities Together from people betting on the race.
The Betting and Gaming Council, who co-ordinated the process of bookmakers donating their profits on the race, hope that sum could rise, with some punters donating part or all of their winnings to the organisation which represents more than 140 NHS charities.
Michael Dugher, chief executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: ‘we are overwhelmed with the public support for the Virtual Grand National and the support shown for NHS Charities Together.
‘when the nation was in much need of some light relief, millions joined in the fun in honour of one of Britain’s greatest sporting events and helped raise a fantastic amount for our brave heroes in the NHS.’
Simon Clare, representing Coral, added: ‘The Virtual Grand National has exceeded everyone’s expectations. There was nothing virtual about the feelgood factor this race generated and the fantastic sum raised for a great cause.’
The BGC said profits from bets placed in Ireland would be donated to Irish charities, including the Irish Red Cross.
The 4.8m who tuned in to the half-hour programme on ITV was about half what might have been expected for favourite Tiger Roll’s historic shot at a third consecutive win at Aintree, with last year’s race attracting 9.6m viewers.
But the figure was a huge leap from the 737,000 who watched the 2019 Virtual Grand National shown on ITV4 on the eve of the race.
underlining the draw of the Grand National and the need for a distraction, Saturday’s viewing figure was significantly more than the 1.75m who watched last year’s Derby. Christian williams, trainer of Potters Corner, embraced the concept. He was interviewed on BBC News and posted pictures of celebrations with young daughters Betsy and Tilly riding their toy horses and wearing the colours carried by Potters Corner.
There was even a mock interview, conducted and filmed by the girls, posted on social media.