Crowds brave the elements at Aintree ahead of Grand National

Crowds have braved the elements at Aintree ahead of the Grand National.

The sun was shining as punters arrived at the Merseyside racecourse on Saturday morning, but heavy rain and hailstones saw people seeking shelter as the third race of the day got under way just before 2pm.

Umbrellas, coats and handbags were used as cover for racegoers who had dressed in their finest.

Celebrities including former footballer Wayne Rooney and wife Coleen were among those enjoying the build-up before the world-famous steeplechase, at 4pm.

Coleen Rooney wore a pale yellow short-sleeved dress and her husband was pictured enjoying a bottle of beer.

Saturday saw the second horse death of the three-day festival when Get On George sustained a fatal injury in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle.

Animal rights organisations had called for the event to be boycotted on Friday after the winner of the second race, Gold Dancer, died after crossing the finish line.

More than 53,000 people attended the course on Friday for the annual Ladies Day, the biggest crowds since 2012.

The Grand National is broadcast to a potential audience of 600 million around the world.

John Hallihan, 69, from Cork in Ireland, wore a green suit with lucky shamrocks for the occasion, which he has been attending for 20 years.

He said: “It’s very special. It’s famous all over the world.

“The fences aren’t as daunting as they were, which is good for the animals and for everybody.”

Wesley Jones, 44, from Crosby, Merseyside, who was with his wife Becky, 39, said: “It brings a lot of people from all over the world in to see this and we live here.

“We get this on our doorstep so we’ve got to count ourselves lucky.”

Oliver Henney, 22, had travelled with more than 20 friends from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, on Saturday.

He said: “It’s the best party in the world. Hopefully the sun stays out and we’ll have a good day.”

For many, the day was not all about the horses.

Fashion designer Melissa-Kate Newitt, 27, from Birkenhead, Wirral, said: “I think it’s probably the best event in the country for fashion.

“Everyone comes to see what the girls are wearing.

“It is peak British fashion, I’d say.”

She was planning to put her money on Monty’s Star in memory of her late cat. 

She said: “I usually bet on one with a pink jacket but this year we’re going with the name.”

She had come prepared for the weather.

“If I get drunk and I’m cold I’m going to be miserable and I’m not going to want to do anything so I’ve brought my coat for safety,” she said.

Those watching the race will include youngsters at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, as the race will be shown in the MediCinema on site for the first time.

The screen has been set up for patient Oliver Christie, five, who underwent his fifth open heart surgery last month and is the race’s honorary 35th runner.