Virtual Grand National 2020 Raises £2.6M for NHS Charities Together

Virtual Grand National 2020 has raised more than £2.6m for NHS Charities Together.

The computer-simulated event, staged after the actual race was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, was “won” by Potters Corner. The bookmakers paid out on the “winner” and are donated profits from losing bets. The event had a peak television audience of 4.8m.

“There was great excitement in the house. The children were on their toy horses and it was great watching the race and seeing our horse come through to win,” Christian Williams, trainer of Potters Corner, said.

Forty runners who would have been most likely to line up at Aintree took part in the Virtual Grand National, using CGI technology and special algorithms.