66-1 Auroras Encore romps in Grand National

The 66-1 Auroras Encore upset the 166th running of the Grand National by nine

lengths at Aintree Saturday, handing jockey Ryan Mania a fairy-tale victory in

his first-ever ride in the storied steeplechase.

Winless since almost a year ago to the day, the 11-year-old had not even hit

the board since his runner-up effort in the Scottish Grand National last April,

but he struck top form here for Yorkshire-based trainer Sue Smith.

Auroras Encore was among those drafting behind the early leaders most of the

way in the nearly 4 1/2-mile marathon. Approaching the final turn, he crept into

third as Oscar Time and Teaforthree vied for command.

Auroras Encore drew alongside them while leaping over the last fence, landed

in front, and powered clear down the stretch. His nearest pursuer was actually a

loose horse who had unseated the rider. The competitors still in the race were

well adrift, left to fight out the minor awards.

Cappa Bleu mugged Teaforthree for runner-up honors by a neck, and it was

another 11 lengths back to Oscar Time in fourth.

"It's unbelievable," said Mania, who had given up race-riding for six months

over the winter of 2011. "People keep telling me to look happy and I am, but I

just cannot believe it's happened. It's a dream and you cannot explain what it's

like.

"I was happy with my early position and he jumped really well over the early

fences, with just the odd mistake here and there. He was on his head a bit, but

he learned from those mistakes and learned to back off the fences a bit. He was

always traveling so well.

"Coming to the second-last I was delighted," Mania continued, "because I

realized I was going to be placed, and I thought 'this is great, let's just jump

home,' then the front two (Teaforthree and Oscar Time) stopped in front of me at

the last, and I said to myself 'this isn't happening.' So I got down and gave

him a shove and he quickened on past them.

"I heard the commentator say there was a loose horse behind me, but I didn't

dare look round and just kept going."

Of the 40 runners, 17 completed the course. For the first time in Grand National history, the entire field was in

contention up to the Canal Turn (the eighth fence). Only two horses fell during

the race, Tatenen and On His Own, with six jockeys unseated. The other

non-finishers were pulled up or, in the case of Mumbles Head, refused.

All participants came back safe.

"Today is absolutely superb -- top of the class," said Harvey Smith, one half

of the husband and wife training partnership. "The fences were absolutely

beautiful. All the horses came back in one piece and so did the jockeys.

"There were over 30 still standing going out in the second circuit, so full

marks to Aintree, Lord Daresbury (chairman of Aintree Racecourse), Andrew

Tulloch (clerk of the course) and even the RSPCA contributed. They have all

worked hard and it's onwards and upwards for the Grand National."

John Baker, Aintree and North West Regional Director for Jockey Club

Racecourses, commented on the grand occasion.

"Once again the John Smith's Grand National has thrown up an incredible

sporting story of 66-1 shot Auroras Encore under Scotland's Ryan Mania in front

of a sold-out 70,000 crowd here at Aintree," Baker said. "He saw off some

seriously strong competition in a typically thrilling Grand National that wasn't

decided until the iconic long run-in.

"Our congratulations go to the owners, Douglas Pryde, Jim Beaumont and David

van der Hoeven; and the legendary training partnership of Sue and Harvey Smith,

who are such outstanding supporters of jump racing in the North. It's obvious

they're on cloud nine right now and it's fantastic to see. Winning this famous

race clearly means a lot.

"Far fewer fallers were recorded in the 2013 John Smith's Grand National, as

with the other races over the Grand National Course during the meeting. The new

construction of the fences appeared to play a significant part in the spectacle

and we also need to recognize the part the jockeys have played right from the

off. British racing should be tremendously proud of their contribution today.

"As ever, we will review every aspect of today's race. We will not stand

still here at Aintree."

There were two equine fatalities over the prior couple of days at Aintree.

Little Josh sustained a broken shoulder in a fall in Friday's Topham Chase,

while Battle Front succumbed to a likely heart attack when pulled up in

Thursday's Fox Hunters' Chase.

In the last two years, more than £1 million was spent on safety and welfare

measures at the course, including making changes to the core of every fence,

leveling work and enhancing the watering system to help to produce the safest

possible jumping ground.

Auroras Encore had previously won at Aintree, in the John Smith's Handicap

Hurdle in 2008, and his second stakes victory came in the 2010 Totepool Handicap

Chase at Uttoxeter. His scorecard now reads 44-8-7-1.

Bred by Mountarmstrong Stud in Ireland, the Second Empire gelding is out of

the Rainbow Quest mare Sama Veda. This is an accomplished family on the Flat,

with such performers as multiple South African Group 1 star Slumdogmillionaire,

Australian Group 1 hero Runyon and French Group 2 winner Samando.

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