66-1 shot Auroras Encore defied the odds to win this year's Grand National at Aintree this afternoon.
Very few pundits had given the 11-year-old a chance heading into the famous race, but having cleared the final fence, it went on to claim the victory with Ryan Mania on board by eight lengths from his nearest rival.
The likes of Tony McCoy and Ruby Walsh were considered to have strong chances before the race got underway, but their mounts Colbert Station and On His Own fell with several fences left to clear.
Walsh's sister Katie, who was riding Seabass, appeared to be in contention for a while, but with four hurdles left to negotiate, the 10-year-old horse faded.
That left the likes of Teaforthree and Cappa Bleu to battle it out for the main prize, but both were eventually denied by a strong finish from the Sue Smith-trained Auroras Encore.
Top six: Auroras Encore, Cappa Bleu, Teaforthree, Oscar Time, Rare Bob, Swing Bill
Liam Apicella
