No threat to National after vandals drive car on to course

Aintree racecourse has suffered some superficial damage following an attack by vandals but course officials have said there is no threat to next week's Randox Health Grand National meeting.

A car was reported to have driven through the security gates at 6.45am, before leaving tyre marks in the turf and damaging an element of the railings near the Melling Road part of the track

Aintree clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch said: "There's some access across the golf course which has caused some superficial damage to the racecourse. It's on the Anchor Bridge end of the National course.

"There should be no impact on the action next week. We believe it was a four-by-four vehicle and the incident was reported to the police."

A spokesperson for the Merseyside police said: "We are appealing for information following an incident of criminal damage at Aintree Racecourse, Ormskirk Road, Aintree reported this morning, Saturday, March 30.

"At 6.45am, it was reported that damage had been found to a perimeter gate and on the course. It is not believed that anything was stolen and no injuries were caused.

"It is initially believed that the damage was caused by a car driven on to the site.

"Extensive CCTV and witness inquiries are ongoing, working closely alongside the course owners."

Aintree is scheduled to host the three-day meeting starting on Thursday, headlined by the Randox Health Grand National on Saturday.

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