NO HORSING AROUND
Police launch biggest Grand National security operation since 1997 IRA bomb threat to stop protesters disrupting race
Police are taking no chances after last year’s Randox Grand National was delayed by 14 minutes by activists
POLICE are mounting one of the biggest-ever Grand National crackdowns to stop idiot protesters repeating last year’s chaos.
They say a ring of steel will greet would-be invaders, and undercover officers will infiltrate crowds when Aintree in Liverpool hosts 150,000 people for three days from today.
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Last year’s race was delayed by animal rights activists attempting to glue themselves to fences.
Superintendent Matthew Moscrop said: “Disorder and other criminal activity will be dealt with robustly
Crowd-sweeping undercover cops and armed officers will lead the biggest Grand National security operation since the 1997 IRA bomb threat.
Large cordons have been erected and the plain-clothes cops, who are specially trained to spot people preparing to commit crime, will mingle in crowds.
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The Merseyside force’s Project Servator tactics will also feature highly-visible patrols — and rely on the “eyes and ears” of locals and punters to thwart chaos.
Police are taking no chances after last year’s Randox Grand National was delayed by 14 minutes when activists broke in and tried to glue themselves to the jumps — leading to 118 arrests.
Protest group Animal Rising has claimed it has suspended its horse-racing demos this year. But Supt Matthew Moscrop warned a “ring of steel” will greet anyone trying to swoop on the Liverpool course.
Around 150,000 racegoers are expected across the festival and Supt Moscrop said: “People can be reassured there are very strict security measures.
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“Anti-social behaviour, hate crime, disorder and other criminal activity will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly.
“There will be armed officers and officers in plain clothes to make sure this is a safe and enjoyable event.”
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On the undercover units, Supt Moscrop added: “These deployments will appear at any time in and around the area of the racecourse, but the public should not be alarmed.”
Project Servator’s combination of police tactics have been used by forces since 2014 and arrest figures show it has been effective in identifying criminals.
The 1997 IRA bomb threat led to the big race being delayed for 49 hours and 60,000 racegoers removed from the venue — the biggest evacuation of a sporting event in British history.
Following last year’s chaos, trainer Sandy Thomson blamed “ignorant” Animal Rising for the first-fence fatality of his horse Hill Sixteen, saying it went “hyper” from the delays.
Race chaos
Locals then helped foil more activists from clambering over perimeter fences by swiping ladders.
Supt Moscrop added: “Racegoers and the wider community know hundreds of millions are watching this race. The people played their part last year in assisting us — and I would ask them to do the same again this year.”
This year’s event is expected to draw a global audience of 800million.
Punters are set to sink 325,000 pints of beer — despite Madri costing £7.50 — 8,000 bottles of champagne, 7,500 of prosecco and over 25,000 cocktails.
They will scoff three tonnes of potatoes, 700kg of cheese and drink 75,000 cups of tea and coffee.
Emma McClarkin, of the British Beer and Pub Association, added: “We hope this will help contribute to our sector’s nascent economic recovery and growing prosperity in 2024.”
Andy Thompson, 37, who will be at Aintree today, added: “I can’t wait. It is one of the highlights of my year and I won’t be put off by some idiot protesters or any other security threat.”
Temperatures are tipped to reach 17C (63F) and local boutiques are predicting a 600 per cent rise in fake-tan sales and 65 per cent surge in demand for false eyelashes.
More than £100million is expected to be placed in bets, with Corach Rambler 5-1 favourite to repeat last year’s win. Ladbrokes’ Nicola McGeady said: “Grand National day is without doubt the busiest day of the year for us. Although Corach Rambler is the favourite, there are other horses we will be running scared of as well.
“Punters love a good name and we fully expect the likes of Mr Incredible to be incredibly popular picks.”
Track protection
The National has been run 175 times since 1839, only halting for two World Wars, the voided race of 1993, and in 2020 when lockdown forced it to be a computer-generated race which raised funds for NHS heroes.
Following last April’s protest, Merseyside Police said other courses have used their response as a template on how to protect their tracks.
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An Aintree spokesman said the racecourse had not been contacted directly by Animal Rising, and that they will continue to work with police and their own security teams.
Animal Rising said: “This year we want to let Aintree know — we don’t need to be there to affect change.”
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Grand National Day
Saturday represents the biggest day of the Grand National Festival, with the big race of the week - and probably the year - coming at 4pm.
It's a race dating back to 1839 and the rich history and yearly traditions have transcended generations with the race recognised the world over.
There are some changes to the big event this year, though, with horse safety continuing to be of paramount importance.
On top of the National, there's two Grade 1s on Saturday, including the Liverpool Hurdle.
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