Grand National braced as ‘300-plus’ protesters plan to disrupt big race

Armed police outside the main gate during racing on day two of the Grand National meeting. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Aintree racecourse is preparing to face the most significant and potentially disruptive protests against the Grand National for many years on Saturday, when the campaign group Animal Rising plans to employ tactics used by Just Stop Oil protesters in recent months in an attempt to prevent the world’s most famous steeplechase from going ahead.

The group are aiming to have 300 protesters storm the track in a bid to prevent the race – which is due off at 5.15pm BST – from taking place.