“We have an indefinite delay,” confirmed ITV presenter Ed Chamberlin. “Protestors have got on to the racecourse.
“A developing situation at Aintree, horses held in the paddock, these are scenes outside the racecourse, trying to disrupt the most popular race in the world.
“They did create a ring of steel around the racecourse this morning. Up to 300 protestors here. We might have a delay here at Aintree.”
Police contain protestors on the Aintree racecourse
Chamberlin later added: “This race will not be run while there is any danger to its participants.”
The delay follows three people arrested earlier on Saturday. Two women aged 33 and 25, both from London, and a man were arrested on Saturday morning on suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance, Merseyside Police said.
It comes after climate and animal rights group Animal Rising said up to 300 activists would scale fences and enter the track to prevent the race from starting. The group also said they would block traffic by performing a slow march along Ormskirk Road, the main access route.
About 50 animal rights protesters gathered outside Aintree Racecourse on Saturday morning. Footage later released by the group shows officers carrying a protester away from a demonstration outside the racecourse.
The Grand National was then given the green light to go ahead at 5:21pm, with horses and riders soon returning to the paddock and the race then underway just after 5:30pm.
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