Bingley horse racing trainer Sue Smith today became only the third female in history to train the winner of the John Smith's Grand National as 66-1 outsider Auroras Encore claimed the Aintree spectacular.

Beaten just a head in the Scottish National at Ayr a year ago, the 11-year-old had been well beaten in recent starts but came to challenge for the lead jumping the final fence.

While the complexion of the National has changed so many times on the long run-in in the past, the result was scarcely in doubt on this occasion as Auroras Encore galloped all the way to the line under Ryan Mania to score by nine lengths.

Cappa Bleu finished strongly to grab the runner-up spot, with Teaforthree and Oscar Time third and fourth respectively.

Mrs Smith said: "It's unbelievable, he gave him such a good ride.

"I knew the ground was right for him and hoped everything else was. He stayed down the middle and had a bit of luck in running. He didn't have a lot of weight and that helped, too.

"He's such a grand little horse, you can ride him anyway you like.

"I just feel sorry for the previous owners, who were wonderful and sold him because of ill health."

Her husband, former world famous showjumper Harvey Smith, who runs the yard at High Eldwick with his wife, said: "It's superb, absolutely spot-on.

"All the horses have come back in one piece. Everyone has worked hard to get it as a safe course and that has proved it today.

"This race will go on forever, look at the public- it goes out worldwide and you can't beat it.

"This is the best (moment of my career) and let's hope there's more to come."

Scottish-born rider Ryan Mania, 23, said: "There's no words to describe it, I got a dream ride all the way - I couldn't believe my luck.

"I couldn't fault the old horse. He was second in the Scottish National last year and I thought I should stay loyal to him and thank God I did.

"I never really had an anxious moment, he made a couple of mistakes, that's all."

Those who backed the winner were also joyously celebrating the 66-1 odds.

In the winner's enclosure Mr and Mrs Smith kissed in front of photographers amid jubilant scenes at Aintree.

Of her husband, Mrs Smith said: “He makes everybody work very hard, and that is definitely the answer to this job.”

Auroras Encore was one of two horses trained by the couple which were racing the Grand National, the other being Mr Moonshine.

The winner is owned by Douglas Pryce, Jim Beaumont and David van der Hoeven.

Hotelier Mr Beaumont and financial advisor Mr Pryde met at Aintree 20 years ago and have owned horses ever since.

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus ahead of the race, Mrs Smith had said training had been tough this year, with six foot snow drifts and frozen ground to contend with.

But she said she had taken them east for a warm-up in advance of their trip to Liverpool, and another trip to moors near Malton saw the pair comfortably jumping Grand National-style fences.

Mrs Smith said her Craiglands Farm stables also had a large indoor school where the horses could be exercised whatever the weather.