Grand National win for Auroras Encore

Auroras Encore, which was 66/1, won the race by nine lengths.

Cappa Bleu came second, with Teaforthree third and Oscar Time fourth.

The favourite Seabass, ridden by Katie Walsh, finished the course but faded towards the closing stages.

Scottish-born rider Mania said: “There’s no words to describe it, I got a dream ride all the way – I couldn’t believe my luck.

I couldn’t fault the old horse. He was second in the Scottish National last year and I thought I should stay loyal to him and thank God I did. Ryan Mania

“I couldn’t fault the old horse. He was second in the Scottish National last year and I thought I should stay loyal to him and thank God I did.

“I never really had an anxious moment, he made a couple of mistakes, that’s all.”

‘Ground was right’

Bingley-based Sue Smith said: “It’s unbelievable, he gave him such a good ride.

“I knew the ground was right for him and hoped everything else was. He stayed down the middle and had a bit of luck in running. He didn’t have a lot of weight and that helped, too.

“He’s such a grand little horse, you can ride him anyway you like.

“I just feel sorry for the previous owners, who were wonderful and sold him because of ill health.”

A spokesman for Aintree said: “Forty horses and jockeys returned safe and sound following the John Smith’s Grand National.”