CAMPAIGNERS are asking animal lovers to boycott today’s Grand National, with organisers accused of putting profit above the welfare of the horses.

The League Against Cruel Sports and Animal Aid say that 48 horses have died taking part in the three day festival since 2000, six of those last year.

Eduardo Gonçalves, chief executive of the charity, said: “There’ll be a sense of disappointment all over the UK on Saturday when those millions of people who have made their annual bet on the National realise their horse didn’t make it to the end. They will have however only lost a few quid — for some horses it will cost them their lives.

“We urge animal-lovers to take a step back from all the hype and think about what they are actually betting on.

“The horses that make it to the end of the race will be the lucky ones. Sadly, there are those who will lose out and end up in a hastily erected white tent at the bottom of a jump.”

Organisers say that British racing is among the “world’s best regulated animal activities,” with horses receiving a “level of care and a quality of life” unsurpassed by any other domesticated animal.

Bookmakers claim £250 will be bet on the steeplechase.