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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Thousands attend Grand National | Thousands attend Grand National |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Thousands of people flocked to Aintree racecourse amidst unseasonably warm weather to watch Silver Birch win the 160th Grand National. | |
| The Merseyside course had undergone a £35m redevelopment ahead of the world-famous steeplechase. | |
| More than 16 million adults were estimated to have had a flutter on the big race, which was attended by about 70,000 people at Aintree. | |
| Silver Birch, ridden by Robbie Power, edged out McKelvey to win the race. | |
| Weather forecasters expected temperatures to peak at 22C on Saturday, making it one of the warmest Grand Nationals on record. | |
| St John Ambulance, which has 150 volunteers at the course, had urged race-goers to drink plenty of water, use sunscreen - and avoid too much alcohol. | |
| Trainee manager Elaine Howlings said: "While we're all enjoying the warm weather it's a good idea to be prepared and follow our simple tips to staying healthy in the sun. | Trainee manager Elaine Howlings said: "While we're all enjoying the warm weather it's a good idea to be prepared and follow our simple tips to staying healthy in the sun. |
| "Drink lots of water and try not to drink too much alcohol, find areas of shade, use sun cream and wear a brimmed hat." | "Drink lots of water and try not to drink too much alcohol, find areas of shade, use sun cream and wear a brimmed hat." |
| It's the make or break day for the bookies David Williams, Ladbrokes spokesman | It's the make or break day for the bookies David Williams, Ladbrokes spokesman |
| Security has been tight for the three-day Aintree Festival and police warned race-goers to get to the course early to get through the stringent security checks. | |
| All spectators were asked to pass through airport-style metal detectors and searches were made of bags and vehicles. | |
| Ch Supt Dave Lewis, of Merseyside Police, said: "The comprehensive planning and security measures reflect the scale of the event and we are confident of the procedures we have in place." | Ch Supt Dave Lewis, of Merseyside Police, said: "The comprehensive planning and security measures reflect the scale of the event and we are confident of the procedures we have in place." |
| Police said there were just a "handful" of arrests made in and around the course on Friday - Ladies Day - mainly for drunk and disorderly offences. | Police said there were just a "handful" of arrests made in and around the course on Friday - Ladies Day - mainly for drunk and disorderly offences. |
| Spectators were also warned to expect some disruption on the rail network because of engineering work between Manchester and Liverpool. | |
| Best-dressed prize | Best-dressed prize |
| One of the new attractions at the 2007 Aintree Festival featured 10 members of the public picked by a panel of experts to train as jockeys. | One of the new attractions at the 2007 Aintree Festival featured 10 members of the public picked by a panel of experts to train as jockeys. |
| The chosen 10 took part in a flat race in front of spectators and what has been described as a potential worldwide television audience of 600 million, each winning £5,000 for their chosen charity. | The chosen 10 took part in a flat race in front of spectators and what has been described as a potential worldwide television audience of 600 million, each winning £5,000 for their chosen charity. |
| Another non-racing feature was the final of a competition to find the most stylish race-goer at Aintree. | Another non-racing feature was the final of a competition to find the most stylish race-goer at Aintree. |
| Ladies Day on Friday attracted about 50,000 people | Ladies Day on Friday attracted about 50,000 people |
| Wayne Rooney's fiancée Coleen McLoughlin presented the prize, a Citroen car, to the winner - who happened to be a former school friend. | Wayne Rooney's fiancée Coleen McLoughlin presented the prize, a Citroen car, to the winner - who happened to be a former school friend. |
| Stephen Wang, 21, from West Derby, Liverpool, said: "I was at school with Coleen and Wayne so I know them both. It's amazing she is now presenting this prize to me." | Stephen Wang, 21, from West Derby, Liverpool, said: "I was at school with Coleen and Wayne so I know them both. It's amazing she is now presenting this prize to me." |
| Coleen, who was wearing an Alexander McQueen waistcoat and trousers, a brown Biba hat and Balenciaga shoes, said: "I know Stephen, I went to school with him but I don't have anything to do with the judging." | Coleen, who was wearing an Alexander McQueen waistcoat and trousers, a brown Biba hat and Balenciaga shoes, said: "I know Stephen, I went to school with him but I don't have anything to do with the judging." |
| Asked why she was not watching her fiancé playing in Manchester United's FA Cup semi-final, she replied: "I'd rather come here." | Asked why she was not watching her fiancé playing in Manchester United's FA Cup semi-final, she replied: "I'd rather come here." |
| Ladbrokes said the Aintree Festival is expected to break £250m with more than £1m staked every minute in the hour leading up to the National. | Ladbrokes said the Aintree Festival is expected to break £250m with more than £1m staked every minute in the hour leading up to the National. |
| David Williams, a spokesman for Ladbrokes, said: "It's the make or break day for the bookies. | David Williams, a spokesman for Ladbrokes, said: "It's the make or break day for the bookies. |
| "Even we go weak at the knees with excitement and nerves on National day. The money gambled is phenomenal." | "Even we go weak at the knees with excitement and nerves on National day. The money gambled is phenomenal." |