Grand National makes changes after 'taking opinions' from across racing

Organisers of the Grand National have "taken opinion into account" and made changes to the Aintree course after last year's race was delayed by protesters.

Clerk of the course Sulekha Varma said alterations to the upcoming race included reducing the number of horses, moving the first fence and bringing the start time forward to 16:00 BST.

She said organisers had "spoken to people inside and outside the racing world" and to animal welfare organisations in an effort to improve the race.

"We put all those thoughts into the melting pot... and these are the changes that we've chosen to make," she added.

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