Three people have been arrested in connection with potential co-ordinated disruption activities at Saturday’s Grand National at Aintree.
A 25-year-old woman from London and a man were arrested outside Aintree racecourse on suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance.
Earlier a 33-year-old woman from the London area was arrested in Greater Manchester for the same offence.
Merseyside Police said they had planned for the possibility of protests.
Around 30 animal rights protesters had gathered outside the racecourse on Saturday morning.
Climate and animal rights group Animal Rising claimed one of those arrested is one of their members, 25-year-old Claudia Penna Rojas.
The police had previously said they would deal “robustly” with any disruption after animal rights activists threatened to sabotage the race.
“Merseyside Police has been working with The Jockey Club and other partners to keep people safe during the Grand National Festival,” they said on Saturday.
“We are aware of some people planning to protest at the event. This has been factored into our plans. We respect the right to peaceful protest and expression of views, but criminal behaviour and disorder will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly.”
Aintree Racecourse warned the actions of protestors could “endanger the horses they purport to protect, as well as jockeys, officials and themselves”.
Animal Rising spokesperson Nathan McGovern said: “Police are wasting time chasing protesters rather than addressing the climate and ecological emergency, and our broken relationship to animals.
“We remain undeterred, and we will peacefully continue our actions to stop harm coming to animals at Aintree.
“Today marks the first of many actions that will really take place this summer to push this conversation to the top of the agenda.”
There have been two horse deaths at the 2023 meeting. Envoye Special suffered a fatal injury in the Foxhunters’ Chase on Thursday. Dark Raven was put down following a fall during the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle on Saturday.
The Jockey Club said: “While racing in the third race, Dark Raven was immediately attended by our expert veterinary professionals.
“After assessment, sadly they concluded the necessary course of action for the horse’s welfare was to put him to sleep. Our sincere sympathies are with his connections.”
Organisers will be hoping all runners and riders in the Grand National return safely.
A field of 39 runners is set to contest the 175th running of the famous race at 17:15 BST with Rachael Blackmore’s mount Ain’t That A Shame among the favourites as she aims for a second win.
Bookmakers expect more than £150m to be wagered on the National, which takes place over 30 fences and four and a quarter miles.
