Virtual Grand National raises £2.6 million for National Health Service - in pics

Potter's Corner won the computer-simulated race following cancellation of the main event at Aintree

A racing enthusiast watches the Virtual Grand National at home in Davenham. Reuters

The Virtual Grand National on a TV in a Derbyshire household. With the real thing cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Virtual Grand National turned out to be a hit. PA

The Virtual Grand National got an average viewership of 4.3 million on TV. Reuters

File photo of the start of the 155th Grand National at Aintree in Liverpool. Reuters

People watching the Virtual Grand National on a TV in Leicester. PA

The Virtual Grand National was broadcast on TV and live-streamed as well. PA

A family prepare for the take Virtual Grand National. Reuters

Kids watch the virtual Grand National in Wallington. Getty Images

Proceeds from the Virtual Grand National were donated to the NHS. PA

The Virtual Grand National raised £2.6million for the NHS. Getty Images

Potter's Corner won the 'virtual' version of the Grand National after the annual steeplechase at Aintree was cancelled due to the coronavirus.

The Welsh-trained horse, ridden by Jack Tudor, beat Walk in the Mill and Any Second Now in the computer-simulated race.

Tiger Roll, the winner of the last two actual Grand National races and the favourite, finished fourth.

Proceeds from the virtual race – amounting to £2.6million (Dh 11.6m) – were donated to the NHS Charities Together, an umbrella body representing more than 140 bodies supporting the UK's National Health Service.

The event, which was put together using CGI technology and algorithms, was broadcast on television and also live-streamed.

The company behind the event, programme-makers Carm Productions, said: "What an incredible few days it has been. 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."

The event was watched by a peak television audience of 4.8 million on ITV, with an average figure of 4.3m during the 30-minute broadcast.