Share

Auroras Encore wins National

Liverpool - Ryan Mania won on his first ride in the Grand National here on Saturday just two years after giving up riding as he guided outsider Auroras Encore to a shock victory at Aintree racecourse.

The Scottish jockey gave a perfect ride to the 66/1 chance - trained by Sue Smith wife of former leading showjumper Harvey - who beat home Welsh duo Cappa Bleu (12/1) and Teaforthree (10/1) while the 2011 runner-up Oscar Time was fourth.

Auroras Encore was a local win as one of the three owners Jim Beaumont is Liverpool-born and started his working life as a bellboy in the upmarket Adelphi Hotel.

Mania seized his chance when Teaforthree hit the last after looking set to give Wales their first win in the race since Kirkland in 1905.

He was never in trouble after that as Cappa Bleu, fourth last year, ran on to rob Teaforthree of second while Cheltenham Gold Cup winning amateur rider Sam Waley-Cohen produced another fantastic ride to take fourth.

"He gave me a dream ride, he's brilliant. I had the choice of two horses to ride, I wasn't sure which one to go for," said Mania.

"He loved every second of it, just class - he was second in the Scottish National last season. He made a couple of little mistakes then learned from them."

Grand National winners this century after Saturday's renewal of the 4 1/2 mile race over 30 fences at Aintree racecourse (year, horse, age, jockey, trainer, owner, odds):

2013: Auroras Encore 11 Ryan Mania Sue Smith Jim Beaumont 66/1

2012: Neptune Collonges 11 Daryl Jacob Paul Nicholls John Hales 33/1

2011: Ballabriggs 10 Jason Maguire Donald McCain Trevor Hemmings 14/1

2010: Don't Push It 10 Tony McCoy Jonjo O'Neill JP McManus 10/1

2009: Mon Mome 9 Liam Treadwell Venetia Williams Vida Bingham 100/1

2008: Comply or Die 9 Timmy Murphy David Pipe David Johnson 7-1

2007: Silver Birch 10 Robbie Power Gordon Elliott (IRL) Brian Walsh 33/1

2006: Numbersixvalverde 10 Niall Madden Martin Brassil (IRL) Bernard Carroll 11/1

2005: Hedgehunter 9 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins (IRL) Trevor Hemmings 7/1

2004: Amberleigh House 12 Graham Lee Ginger McCain Halewood Int. Ltd 16/1

2003: Monty's Pass 10 Barry Geraghty Jimmy Mangan (IRL) Dee Racing Syn 16/1

2002: Bindaree 8 Jim Culloty Nigel Twiston-Davies Raymond Mould 20/1

2001: Red Marauder 11 Richard Guest Norman Mason Norman Mason 33/1

2000: Papillon 9 Ruby Walsh Ted Walsh (IRL) Betty Moran 10/1

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1814 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1773 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1080 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 459 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 186 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE