Grand National organisers will not seek injunction against Animal Rising

The Jockey Club has decided not to apply for an injunction to deter possible incursions on to the Aintree track by animal rights activists at next month’s Grand National meeting. Protests before last year’s Grand National by Animal Rising, which included an attempt by protesters to scale a perimeter fence and glue themselves to one of the track’s obstacles, caused the race to be delayed by 15 minutes.

A total of 118 activists were arrested either before or after last year’s race, in which Sandy Thomson’s Hill Sixteen suffered a fatal injury at the first fence. Thomson subsequently suggested that Hill Sixteen had become “absolutely hyper” during the 15-minute delay, which could have been a contributory factor in his fall.

Related: Talking Horses: BHA may struggle to resist Irish Cheltenham juggernaut

The Jockey Club, which owns and operates Aintree and Epsom, the home of the Derby, obtained a high court injunction against Animal Rising and other activists in an attempt to prevent protesters disrupting the Derby meeting in early June. However, Ben Newman, one of the founders of Animal Rising, ran on to the course shortly after the start of the Derby and was bundled off the track by police and security personnel before the field had turned into the straight. He was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and agreed to pay £10,000 towards the Jockey Club’s costs in obtaining the injunction.

The Jockey Club said on Wednesday that it would not be applying for a similar injunction before this year’s Grand National on 13 April. “Last year Animal Rising made it explicitly clear that they intended to break the law and disrupt the Derby,” the spokesperson said. “After giving their threats significant consideration and having taken into account a number of factors, including the unique nature of Epsom Downs as a racecourse which is very publicly accessible, we took the decision to apply for an injunction.

“While this process proved effective at Epsom Downs, it was in response to very publicly made threats and also costly. We have received no such threats to the Grand National at Aintree next month and, while we continue to work with Merseyside police and our own teams on robust security plans, we have taken the decision not to apply for an injunction.

Chepstow 2.15 Hawk Stone 2.45 Largy Force 3.15 Shot Boii 3.50 Lady Balko 4.25 Twilight Glory 5.00 Briefly

Ludlow 2.35 Court In The Act 3.05 Malaita 3.35 Immortal Fame (nap) 4.10 Stormin Crossgales (nb) 4.45 Dromlac Jury 5.20 Before Midnight

Southwell 4.55 Militry Decoration 5.30 Blake 6.00 Smart Vision 6.30 Neptune Legend 7.00 Urban Dandy 7.30 Fantasy Navigator 8.00 Hard Solution 8.30 Ney

“We will never tolerate illegal or reckless behaviour and every appropriate measure will be in place to ensure the world’s greatest steeplechase goes ahead on Saturday 13 April.”

The maximum field for this year’s Grand National has been cut from 40 horses to 34 in an attempt to reduce the risk factors associated with the race. The start time has also been moved from 5.15pm to 4pm.