Heightened security ready for challenge

Security will be as tight as ever for this year's Martell Grand National meeting, but Merseyside police have stressed that their intelligence sources have given no hint that the risk of disruption to the meeting is any higher than normal.

Racegoers at Aintree have had to endure strict search procedures and a high-profile police presence ever since the 1997 National was postponed for two days due to an IRA bomb scare.

The 11 September atrocity in 2001 saw security stepped up another notch, but Merseyside police spokesperson Anne Hobson feels the right balance has been struck for Liverpool's biggest sporting event of the year.

"We have been working alongside the Aintree management for six months to ensure the Grand National Festival is as safe and enjoyable for racegoers as always," she said. "In the current climate we are acutely aware of potential terrorist threats to major events, but there is no specific threat to Merseyside at this point and contingency plans are in place in case the situation should change."

Aintree marketing manager Dickon White said: "As always, there will be a strong security presence. Anyone coming through the turnstiles will be subject to the usual searches and metal detector screenings. Fortunately, people have got used to the process and we're looking forward to a tremendous occasion."