The Virtual Grand National on a TV in a Derbyshire household. Scott Wilson/PA WireBookmakers are to donate over £2.6million (€2.95m) to NHS charities from profits on the Virtual Grand National, as it was revealed almost five million people tuned in to watch the race on Saturday afternoon. Last year's virtual race - run as a precursor to the main event - was watched by 737k people and the actual Grand National by nearly 10m. Bookmakers had helped boost interest by announcing all profits would be donated to NHS Charities Together, the umbrella organisation which represents over 140 NHS charities. We first aired the Virtual Grand National in 2017, and we feel honoured that it has been able to stand in for the Grand National at this difficult time.

Source: Irish Independent April 05, 2020 18:22 UTC