Nine individuals were arrested on Saturday after protesters disrupted the start of the Grand National at Aintree Racecourse. Merseyside Police reported that a large group of protesters attempted to gain access to the course shortly after 5 pm. While the majority were stopped, nine managed to enter the track and were later apprehended by officers. The 175th edition of the race was eventually won by Corach Rambler, ridden by Derek Fox, after a delay of fourteen minutes.
Television footage showed some of the protesters attempting to attach themselves to the security fencing around the track, while others attempted to climb over or glue themselves to the fence. Police confiscated ladders and removed the protesters from the track. The jockeys were asked to remount their horses six minutes after the scheduled start time, and the race began eight minutes later.
Merseyside Police confirmed the nine arrests and stated that three people had been taken into custody earlier in connection with potential coordinated disruption activities. A 25-year-old woman from London and a man were arrested outside Aintree on suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance, while a 33-year-old woman from the London area was arrested in Greater Manchester on the same charge.
The police also expressed that they respected the right to peaceful protest and expression of views, but criminal behaviour and disorder would not be tolerated and would be dealt with accordingly.