A MYSTERY punter from Suffolk has still donated �200,000 to charity - despite missing out on a �2.7million jack-pot.

Craig Robinson

A MYSTERY punter from Suffolk has still donated �200,000 to charity - despite missing out on a �2.7million jack-pot.

The generous benefactor, whose identity is being kept a closely guarded secret, had pledged to donate the vast sum to the Royal British Legion to help support past members of the armed forces if he won on the horses.

His choice of Big Fella Thanks came third in yesterday's Racing Post Chase but although he failed to win he has still decided to donate �200,000 from �669,465.30 he picked up last weekend.

He said: “I desperately wanted to win the bonus race for the Royal British Legion but it wasn't to be.

“Nevertheless, I am delighted to donate �200,000 to the Legion.”

Robert Lee, head of public relations and campaigns for the Royal British Legion, was delighted with the outcome.

“Although our selection finished third, the Legion still ends up a winner,” he said. “We're very grateful to our anonymous donor and the entire racing fraternity for the support they've shown to the Legion and the armed forces family.”

The punter is said to live within a ten-mile radius of Ipswich, but no further information is being divulged because he has asked to remain anonymous.

He won almost �670,000 with a �2 stake on the Tote Scoop 6 last weekend and had the chance to land �2.75m - the biggest payout in UK betting history - if his horse won.

The Tote also placed a �1,000 bet on the winner of the Racing Post Chase - which was Nacarat at 10/1 - meaning the Legion pick up �211,000 in total.

Scoop 6 punters pick at least one horse in six nominated televised races every Saturday. Anyone who gets all six winners is then in line for an enormous payout if they can pick the winner of the following Saturday's bonus race.

The Scoop 6 was not won on Saturday afternoon meaning that the record-breaking bonus fund rolls on and there is now a total of �2,842,120 in the bonus fund as well as �201,125 in the win pool.