Grand National 2024: Eight arrested after fighting breaks out at Aintree Ladies' Day

Eight people were arrested after fighting broke out at Aintree Ladies' Day on Friday (April 12). Fashionable racegoers flocked to the Liverpool course for the second day of the Randox Grand National Festival, with celebrities including Olympian Sam Quek and former footballer Michael Owen among those enjoying the event.

However a group of men were arrested by police after reports of a fight.

Merseyside Police said four men had been arrested on suspicion of affray and two men were held on suspicion of assault after an altercation outside the Princess Royal Stand at 2.25pm.

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Another man was detained on suspicion of a drug offence after being searched near the main entrance to the racecourse, while an eighth man was arrested for being drunk and disorderly. Merseyside Police also confirmed three drones had been seized after being flown in a restricted area.

Merseyside Police has warned it will deal “robustly” with any incidences of “anti-social behaviour, hate crime, disorder and other criminal activity” at the racecourse and punters have been subject to security checks, including bag searches.

Around 45,000 racegoers flocked to the event for its second day, with about 80,000 expected to attend on Saturday (April 13).

Chief Inspector Iain Wyke, in charge of the Policing Operation for the event, said: “Ladies Day welcomed thousands more visitors to the festival and I would like to thank everyone for enjoying the day safely. There were very little incidents to note as the vast majority of racegoers enjoyed it without causing any disruption.

“We now looking forward to tomorrow’s highlight in the racing