ON TWITTER

#GRANDNATIONAL

The biggest horserace on the sporting calendar is due to be run next weekend, but it’s proving controversial due to the large number of steeds who die, or are badly injured, as a result.

@antoniosteve wrote: “In five days' time, the annual #Grandnationaldisgrace takes place at Aintree. A yearly festival of tortured and broken horses, while the rich drink cocktails and admire each others' hats. Anyone sponsoring/ supporting this event is no friend to this planet."

@Glenlyon17 wrote: ‘People who say "the horses enjoy it’ should try having someone strapped to their back and whipped round a four-mile course over huge jumps and then tell me they enjoyed it.”

@Ladylyonglencoe replied: “I sometimes watch horseracing but never this one, nor would I ever bet on it.”

@missover123 wrote: “Horses do enjoy racing I've worked with racehorses and seen them still replaying races in the field and jumping fences. What they don't enjoy is being broken so young and overbred, with many falling in a race with far too many horses running to be at all safe.” @Melonhead wrote: “Why can't they remove the whips? It's horrendous to watch those jockeys whacking those poor horses. Would love to whack the jockeys to see how they feel.”

#BELLYMUJINGA

People have been remembering Belly Mujinga on the first anniversary of her death with vigils at railway stations. The transport worker was reportedly spat on by a man who claimed to have Covid-19. Two weeks later, Mujinga died with the virus. A coroner is deciding whether an inquest should be held into her death.

@connorusso tweeted: “Powerful demonstration in Brighton today. A year on and no answers. We have not forgotten and you will be held.”

@mtpennycook wrote: “Belly Mujinga died a year ago today. Her death shone a light on the risks taken by frontline workers during the pandemic and on the abuse, harassment and violence that transport workers routinely face. Belly's family deserve answers to the questions that remain unanswered.”

@Nadiawhittomemp said: “The rights of frontline workers, like those in transport, must be protected.”