A MYSTERY punter from Suffolk will donate �2.75million to the Royal British Legion if his horse wins on Saturday.

A CHARITY is in the running for a mouth-watering �2.7million pay day if a mystery punter from Suffolk wins on the horses tomorrow.

The benefactor, whose identity is being kept a closely guarded secret, has pledged to donate the vast sum to the Royal British Legion to help support past members of the armed forces.

He won almost �670,000 with a �2 stake on the Tote Scoop 6 last weekend and now has the chance to land another �2.75million - the biggest payout in UK betting history - if he wins the bonus race tomorrow.

He said: “I decided that I would pledge the bonus fund to my favourite charity if I am lucky enough to win. I have already won a considerable amount and I wish the Legion the best of luck this weekend.”

Richard Lee, spokesman for the Royal British Legion, said members of the charity were on tenterhooks over the possible windfall.

He said: “We are hoping that the right horse wins on Saturday because it will be a big pay day for us.

“We are hoping that the horse realises the enormous responsibility on its shoulders and runs like the devil is on his tail.”

Peter Golding, Suffolk Royal British Legion county secretary, added: “It is absolutely fantastic. The level of generosity is amazing.”

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

Mr Lee said: “We are not saying anything that could confirm his identity. Would you mess around with reporters when there's �2.7million at stake?”

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.

Tote said it would today pick either the Racing Post Chase at Kempton or the Eider Chase at Newcastle as the bonus race, from which the punter can choose his horse.