AINTREE, England: Big outsider Auroras Encore won the Grand National Steeplechase yesterday, cruising to a nine-length victory in the world’s most famous jumps race.
Sent off as a 66-1 shot, Auroras Encore — ridden by National debutant Ryan Mania — burst clear after jumping the last of 30 fences to finish ahead of Cappa Bleu (12-1). Teaforthree led marginally approaching the last but tailed off to place third.
“There are no words to describe it. I got a dream ride round, I couldn’t believe my luck,” Mania said. “I couldn’t fault the horse . He loved every second of it. He was just class.”
The race appeared to pass off incident-free, with all 40 horses returning unscathed after only 17 finished the 4 ½-mile course. Four horses died in the previous two editions of the grueling event, forcing organizers into making modifications that included softening the high fences and improving landing areas and course irrigation.
Sue Smith — the husband of former Olympic showjumper Harvey Smith — became only the third female in history to train the winner of the National, after Jenny Pitman (1983, ‘95) and Venetia Williams (2009).
“It’s unbelievable,” Smith said. “He gave him such a good ride. I knew the ground was right for him.”
Katie Walsh was bidding to become the first woman jockey to win the race but her mount, pre-race favorite Seabass, ran out of steam in the closing stages.
Two other well-backed horses, On His Own under Ruby Walsh and Colberts Station with AP McCoy onboard, were among the 23 fallers.
