There will be tight security once again for the Martell Grand National meeting, which gets under way at Aintree on Thursday week. The Grand National was postponed for two days following a terrorist bomb alert in 1997 and it has been reported that animal rights activists could begin a campaign to undermine this year's race.
Racegoers have had to pass through security screens on entry to the course ever since the evacuation four years ago. Charles Barnett, Aintree's managing director, said today: "The police take account of any security threats that might exist. We talk to the police every day and they organise the security to deal with whatever threats they have knowledge of. The security is always tight at Aintree and will be again this year but no more than usual. We are aware of the animal rights situation. We talk regularly to the reputable organisations such as the RSPCA and the International League for the Protection of Horses over safety issues and we believe they are the right people to communicate with."
With the continuing outbreak of foot and mouth disease all the required Jockey Club precautions will in place for next week's meeting. "As Aintree is in a city area we are just hoping that foot and mouth will not come close," Barnett added.
