Sue Smith became only the third female in history to train the winner of the John Smith’s Grand National as 66-1 outsider Auroras Encore claimed the Aintree spectacular yesterday.

Beaten just a head in the Scottish National at Ayr a year ago, the 11-year-old had been well beaten in recent starts but came to challenge for the lead jumping the final fence.

While the complexion of the National has changed so many times on the long run-in in the past, the result was scarcely in doubt on this occasion as Auroras Encore galloped all the way to the line under Ryan Mania to score by nine lengths.

Cappa Bleu finished strongly to grab the runner-up spot, with Teaforthree and Oscar Time third and fourth respectively.

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.

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

Bingley-based 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.”