English racegoers enjoy the revelry of Grand National weekend
ENGLISH racegoers get wild — as this crazy collection of photos from opening day of Grand National weekend prove.
RACING fans donned their best suits and finest dresses ready for a day at Aintree Racecourse — and got stuck straight in at the bar.
Excited revellers descended on the Merseyside course to place bets and began by quaffing drinks at the Grand National Festival, The Sun reports.
The famous race festival begins today and will run until Saturday. People pouring into the racecourse will have ample opportunity to try their luck with a flutter or two as seven races are held each day.
Armed cops are set to patrol the Grand National for the first time in the event’s 170-year history amid heightened security after the recent London terror attack.
Racegoers have been warned to expect heavy security, with cops telling revellers to arrive with plenty of time to spare.
Chief Superintendent Claire Richards of Merseyside Police said: “As per normal racegoers can expect to see high visibility policing across the three days of the event.
“They may also see an armed presence but I want to reassure them that this is not in response to any direct threat aimed at the festival but just as a visible reassurance for the thousands of people who will come through the gates over the three days.”
The race runs until Saturday with seven races held each day, with the gun going off on the first race at 1.40pm on the dot.
The Grand National will be held on Saturday evening at 5.15pm, with one final race running afterwards at 6.15pm.
While there has been no specific threat to the race meeting, police decided it was best not to take any chances after the recent terror attack in London.
Khalid Masood, 52, ploughed his rented car into dozens of pedestrians outside Parliament before stabbing an unarmed bobby to death last month.
The attack will have caused authorities to think hard about security at crowded, high-profile events.
The Chief Supt added: “The Aintree festival is a great opportunity to show off what Merseyside has to offer.
“It is always a fantastic occasion which attracts people — and TV viewers — from all over the world and I am confident that this year’s festival will be no exception.
“Race-goers can help us by giving themselves extra time to get to the racecourse, arriving in good time and limiting the number of bags and other items they bring into the course.
“Co-operating with the security staff will ensure the queues are kept to a minimum and people can be in their places in plenty of time for the first race.”
This article was originally published by The Sun and reproduced with permission.
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