The 2025 Grand National gets underway in less than six months’ time and here at Grand-national.uk you can keep up-to-date with the very latest Grand National tips and up-to-date news ahead of the big event.
Further 24 charged over 2023 Grand National protests
The 2023 Grand National was delayed following the incursion of animal rights protestors onto the track and 18 months on, a further 24 people have been charged of offences relating to the incident.
Illegally entering the race track
Demonstrations were held in the lead-up to the 2023 Randox Grand National on Saturday, 15th April and these protests escalated with many climbing over the fence and trespassing onto the course of the race. Five people were accused of illegally entering onto the race track and nineteen more were accused of scaling the perimeter fencing and attempting to get onto the course. All of these have now been charged with recklessly or intentionally causing a public nuisance and having all been bailed, they are set to appear at the Magistrates’ Court at South Sefton on October 10th, 2024 and 6th November, 2024. The total number charged in connection to the 2023 Grand National protests stands at 58.
Start of the race delayed
In total, 118 people were arrested by Merseyside Police during the 2023 Grand National protests and the start of the big race was delayed by around 14 minutes. Numerous activists were fined for blocking some of the roads around Aintree Racecourse while there were other smaller protests close to the main entrance of the venue.
Heavier security and bigger police presence
Animal rights protests have been common at Aintree during the Grand National in recent years but this was the first time that the demonstrations had directly affected the race. The 2024 Grand National was the subject of heavier security and a bigger police presence around the course, despite the fact that there were no major demonstrations planned. This will also be the case for the 2025 renewal of the race, for which no protests are currently being planned.
