Grand National 2024 Live: New favourite, final runners list cut to 32 as protestors issue statement

The 2024 Grand National will be held at 4pm today as millions watch around the world and thousands descend on Aintree racecourse.

There will be 32 runners in the race after the late withdrawal of Chambard and Run Wild Fred, who have been declared as non-runners. The number of horses had already been cut from 40 to 34 this year to improve safety after a four horses died at last year's meeting.

This year's Grand National festival did suffer its first fatality on Friday when Gionvinco died in the opening race of the day. You can read what happened here.

READ MORE: Grand National 2024 start time moved for today's race amid safety concerns

The Grand National favourite has changed on Saturday, with I Am Maximus now ahead of Corach Rambler, while the one Welsh-trained horse in the race, Kitty's Light, is a decent option at 12/1. You can see the best each-way bet options and where your horse needs to finish to win money here.

A huge security operation is in place at Aintree racecourse after last year's race was delayed when Animal Rising protestors stormed the racecourse. Some tried to glue themselves to fences on the course, while police made 118 arrests. However, the group will not be at Aintree this year after issuing a statement.

"A year ago we delayed the Grand National and made headlines across the world, with over 100 Animal Rising supporters arrested as we protested the cruelty of horse racing," they said. "This year, we want to let Aintree know - we don't need to be there to affect change."

A spokesperson, Nathan McGovern, also told the Guardian : "We won't be there and the reason for that is that as far as we can see, last year there was a huge public conversation on the back of the Grand National, Epsom et cetera, and it