Animal rights protesters have managed to delay today’s Grand National after invading the course and glueing themselves to obstacles and scaling a perimeter fence. Protestors dressed in pink managed to attach themselves to the second fence and also stage a sit-in near the famous Canal Turn and Foinavon fences. A smaller course invasion was also prevented near the third last fence.
The Canal Turn is the furthest point away from the main grandstand and police were later seen carrying protestors bodily from the course.
Earlier this week, protest group Animal Rising released a statement saying they would be “taking direct action to protect the horses.” A spokesperson for the group said the activists would be 'peacefully attempting' to climb over fences and walls with the intention of making their way on to the track.
All thirty-nine of the horses were still in the parade ring when the protesters managed to breach the Aintree course - which is over two miles all the way round.
Former jockey and ITV Racing presenter Mick Fitzgerald - who rode the winner of the race Rough Quest in 1996 - was critical of the protest. “These horses are unbelievably well cared for. Very often better than human beings are.”
Tony McCoy, winner of the race in 2010 on Don’t Push It, called them, “attention seekers,” who have “no understanding of horses or how they are looked after.” The most-winning jockey of all time then added, “These people don’t want (horse racing) explained.”
Earlier today, two women and a man were arrested in connection with an Animal Rising gathering at Aintree Racecourse. The militant animal rights group said up to 300 activists were primed to flood the course in Liverpool and that with the intention of preventing the main race at 5:15pm from starting.
Police said a 33-year-old, from London, was earlier detained in Greater Manchester on suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance in connection with potential co-ordinated disruption activities at Aintree.
