Good Morning Britain's Richard Madeley was taken aback as a protestor shared plans to stop the Grand National.
The broadcaster fronted today's edition of the ITV news programme alongside the Ranvir Singh. The two interviewed activist, Orla Coghlan, about plans to disrupt the iconic event which returns to Aintree racecourse this week.
Security has been stepped up after a report from Mail on Sunday exposed Animal Rising's plan to storm the course. An undercover reporter filmed a protestor sharing plans to "ruin" the event.
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In the clip, an activist said: "Basically the kick-off action for this whole campaign is going to be at the Grand National. The biggest horse race in the world. We have 600m people viewing this horse race worldwide, we've got £300m of bets on the horse race and we're just going to ruin it."
Ms Coghlan remained tight-lipped on the group's protests as she explained plans to turn up outside the racecourse ahead of the race on Saturday. She said: "We care very much about animals and we're trying to protect those horses by being there on the tracks. She added: "We know that every other day a horse dies from horse racing in the UK. Since 2000, there's been over 50 horses that have died at Aintree alone."
Richard probed on whether radical protests can do more harm in turning public opinion against the cause as he quizzed Ms Coghlan on plans to stop the race. He said: "Once the gates are open are you going to try to force your way onto the course and link arms or glue yourself together?"
However, Ms Coghlan kept her cards close to her chest as she said: "I'm actually not sure what the exact tactics are going to be on the day."
Ranvir was confused as she said: "It's an element of surprise for yourself as well as everyone else?" Journalist Dawn Neesom appeared on the show who expressed concern over the proposed protest.
She said: "No one wants to see animals hurt but over the last 15 years the equine fatality rate in British racing has fallen by a third. 62% of injuries to horses happen while they're turned out in a field.
"If Orla's protest is going to be simply standing outside with placards raising awareness of the injuries that can occur to horses during racing then fair enough, but we know from the newspaper expose that this is not going to be a peaceful protest and the plan is to invade the racecourse, to go through with bolt cutters, climb over the fences, get on the course in front of 50,000 passionate horse racing fans and prevent the actual race from running."
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