Hopes of Bingley race horse Auroras Encore following in the steps of Red Rum were dashed when he struggled during the Coral Scottish Grand National and was pulled up near the finish.

Had he won, he would have been the first since the Red Rum in 1974 to win the Grand National and Scottish National double. Instead Godsmejudgecrossed the line first.

Auroras Encore, from Sue Smith’s stable in High Eldwick, went off at odds of 66-1 at the Grand National and astounded punters when he won.

Speaking before Saturday’s race Mrs Smith’s husband, former show jumper Harvey Smith, said the horse had drawn big crowds but he was unsure of victory because of his handicap weight of 11st 12lb.

Mr Smith said: “There isn't a horse in the last ten years that’s won this race above 11 stone.”

The 11-year-old was ridden by Ryan Mania who romped to victory on the horse at Aintree.

Mania, 23, spent two days in hospital after falling at Hexham the day after the Grand National, but was declared fit to ride earlier this week.

He suffered a small fracture in a vertebra and soft tissue and ligament damage when he was kicked after his horse fell. Mrs Smith also had seven-year-old Fill The Power running in the Scottish race who finished fifth.