Grand National 2013: as it happened - Telegraph Grand National Grand National 2013: as it happened Follow all the build up to the Grand National, including race-by-race Aintree coverage on Saturday April 6, 2013. Hitting the front: Auroras Encore (left) jumps to the front at the final fence Photo: PA Email Ben Bloom with your tips and thoughts on today's big race. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17.03 So Ryan Mania has won the Grand National on his first ever ride in the race on a 66-1 shot. What a brilliant day for him. There were 17 finishers in all and no casualties. As thrilling and unexpected as ever - there is only one race in the world like it. Thank you for joining us. 17.00 Ruby Walsh was thrown from On His Own at Valentine's second time round while Mr Moonshine pulled up three out. That was all the action until the last fence when Roberto Goldback and Sunnyhillboy unseated, Mumbles Head refused and Chicago Grey was finally pulled up. And that was that.

16.56 Lost Glory, What A Friend, Joncol and Becauseicouldntsee were all pulled up early in the second circuit. Imperial Commander, Forpadydeplasterer, Ballabriggs and Quel Esprit didn't last much longer before their jockeys pulled them up. Related Articles 06 Apr 2013 Andrew from King's Lynn has a somewhat harsh assessment of the TV coverage Channel 4's first time - must try harder. Flat, boring commentary, and worst of all, they managed to miss the start. 16.52 Tatenen fell at the 12th and AP McCoy was given no hope when unseated at The Chair, while Ninetieth Minute and Viking Blond were both pulled up before halfway. 16.47 Let's try and fill in what happened to some of your runners. Chicago Grey made some bad mistakes right out the back in the early stages but remarkably there were no fallers until the Canal Turn (the eighth fence) where Big Fella Thanks, Treacle and The Rainbow Hunter all came down. 16.43 Aside from Auroras Encore's connections, the people most pleased with that result will be the bookies.

A huge result for them and they will be rubbing their hands with glee. The vast majority of the £150million bet on the race will remain in their coffers. Ryan Mania gave Auroras Encore a brilliant wide There are no words to describe it. I got a dream ride round, I couldn't believe my luck. I couldn't fault the horse. I had a choice of two but he was second on this course last year so I thought I better stay loyal to him. He loved every second of it. He was just class. 16.35 All 40 horses and jockeys have come back without injury. Great news. Winning trainer Sue Smith He is a grand little horse and you can ride him anywhere, anyhow. [Jockey, Ryan] Mania has given him a wonderful ride. What more can I say. 16.32 Jockey Ryan Mania onboard Auroras Encore is lapping it up and why not. This morning the Scottish 24-year-old would scarcely have believed his 66-1 shot would come home as the winner but if any race is going to throw up a surprise it is the Grand National.

16.30 Seabass looked to be travelling well but didn't have the pace to get up with the leaders when it mattered at the end of the race. AP McCoy and Ruby Walsh both ended up on the ground after their mounts fell. Imperial Commander was prominent early on but faded quickly. 16.28 Well who saw that coming? Teaforthree jumped the last marginally in the lead but Auroras Encore came home like a train and has upset the odds at 66-1. The two Welsh warriors did brilliantly in second and third but they were a long way behind the winner who stormed away past the Elbow. It looked as though there were lots of finishers. John Smith's Grand National 5th Rare Bob 16-1 AURORAS ENCORE WINS THE GRAND NATIONAL AT 66-1 ...Auroras Encore takes the Elbow in the lead. And he's won it! What a result! Cappa Bleu second, Teaforthree third and Oscar Time fourth. ...Teaforthree goes into the lead. One to jump. Oscar Time behind. Here comes Auroras Encore.

...Three left to jump and it is Oscar Time, Across The Bay and Teaforthree are battling this out. ...On His Own has fallen. Ruby Walsh gone. Across The Bay and Oscar Time still at the front. Teaforthree looks very dangerous. ...Teaforthree takes the lead now. Auroras Encore is prominent with Oscar Time. ...On His Own and Seabass are side-by-side just behind the leaders. The two Walsh riders going well. Across The Bay still leading. ...33 still standing as they set off on their second circuit. Balthazar King at the front with Across The Bay and On His Own is looking good just in behind. ...AP McCoy is down at the Chair. Colbert Station out of the race. ...Tatenen has gone and Ninetieth Minute is pulled up. Across The Bay, Balthazar King and Soll head a big group well bunched together. Seabass is in midfield. ...Treacle and Big Fella Thanks have fallen. Across The Bay and Balthazar King prominent at the front with Oscar Time. ...Chicago Grey is right at the back of the field. Here comes Becher's Brook. And amazingly they are all still standing.

Viking Blond leads. ...Viking Blond and Teaforthree leading the way with Oscar Time. No fallers after the first four fences. ...A perfect start as they get away first time. And they are all over the first fence. THEY ARE OFF IN THE GRAND NATIONAL... 16.13 There will be a shorter run to the first fence with the new location of the startline this year. Does that mean the runners can't build up such a high speed or will the fence come too soon and surprise some of them? Seabass is now 6-1 favourite with On His Own at 8-1 and Teaforthree at 10s. Every horse in the race is shortening as people pile in late. What A Friend was 66-1 but has halved in the past half an hour. The only female jockey in the race is certain to go off onboard the favourite. 16.10 The horses have paraded in front of the stands and are now heading down to have a look at the first fence. I've always wondered whether the horse knows why they are being shown a fence. I guess they wouldn't do it for no reason. Five minutes to go.

16.06 Trevor Hemmings has won the National before with Ballabriggs and he reckons his horse has a "very good" chance of winning the race again. He's a 20-1 shot this time around. &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: Channel 4 Racing - Paul Nicholls, trainer of Join Together, What A Friend &amp;amp;amp; Harry The Viking: "We can't do anything now, we just need a little luck"&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; 15.58 Wales have a brilliant chance of picking up their first Grand National win since 1905 with the likes of Cappa Bleu and Teaforthree prominent in the betting. Undoubtedly the class horse in the race is former Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander but he will have to be the first horse since Red Rum to defy top weight and win. Here come the jockeys. 15.53 The jockeys are watching themselves on the TV in the weighing room. They always look remarkably cool before these big races. Has AP McCoy made the right choice on Colbert Station instead of Sunnyhillboy?

Should Ruby Walsh have plumped for his father's horse Seabass rather than On His Own? Not long until we find out. 15.50 This year's race is crucial in determining the future of the Grand National. A number of safety concerns have been raised in the build-up and everyone will be hoping all 40 runners and riders get home safe and sound. 15.47 Half an hour to go until the big one. The horses are out in the parade ring already. A reminder that the startline has been moved 90 yards further away from the stands this year to try and calm down the horses (and jockeys) before the off. But if the Topham Chase yesterday - where there were two false starts - is anything to go by, it may not have worked wonders. Let's hope they get away clean first time. Betting update: Seabass 7-1, On His Own 10-1, Chicago Grey 10-1, Teaforthree 12-1, Cappa Bleu 12-1, Colbert Station 14-1, Imperial Commander 14-1.

Interesting stuff from odds comparison site Oddschecker.com with some of the biggest market movers. Cappa Bleu was 27/1 at the start of January and is now a best price 13/1 and Chicago Grey was as long as 59/1 at the beginning of 2013, and is now 12/1. The biggest drifters in the betting market ahead of today’s big race are Sunnyhillboy and Harry The Viking. Oddschecker.com can report that Sunnyhillboy’s odds have gone out from 14/1 in January to a current 22/1. Whilst Harry the Viking has lengthened from 28/1 to a best price 40/1. 15.36 That was highly impressive from Battle Group who won a handicap hurdle at Aintree just two days ago. No one could stay with him once he hit the front and that makes it two favourites and two big outsiders to take victory today. Right then. Preliminaries over: It's Grand National time...

John Smith's Handicap Chase 2nd Mac Aeda 14-1 3rd Johns Spirit 12-1 ...Battle Group cruises into the lead and kicks clear. This is easy. He's won by about 20 lengths. Big win. ...Opening Batsman has dropped right out of it and here comes Battle Group. ...Under a circuit remaining and Brave Spartacus is out on his own in front. AP McCoy looks handy on Cantlow. ...All still standing and no changes in the order at the front of the field. Brave Spartacus shows the way. Cannington Brook struggling at the back. ...Brave Spartacus has been sent to the front and leads Problema Tic as they pass the stands. Two circuits ahead of them. THEY ARE OFF IN THE HANDICAP CHASE... 15.24 There are co-favourites in our next race, the John Smith's Handicap Chase. Battle Group and Cantlow are both 9-2 with top-weight Opening Batsman behind them at 13-2. The final race before the big one. Jockeys will be hoping to get round safe and sound without any last-minute injuries.

15.20 Seabass is in the same box as Papillon before his victory in the 2000 Grand National. Is that an omen? Probably not as I'm sure every box has played host to a winner at some point in the history of the race. Seabass is a hot favourite for the National and Katie Walsh could make history if she guides him to victory. As the countdown continues, why not read our exclusive interview with her. Sometimes, on my own, I’ll sit there wondering ‘Oh my God, can you imagine?’ But being a trailblazer? Or a history maker? No, I don’t even think about that. I just want to win the National because, well, it would be a great story, wouldn’t it?” Let's get the betting icon out again. There has been a £10,000 wager placed on Cappa Bleu at 12-1 in the National. Just over an hour to go until the big race and there has also been support for Rare Bob who is now available at 18-1. Interestingly Colbert Station, the mount of AP McCoy, has drifted out to 14-1.

15.00 There was no Big Buck's but Solwhit looks like a proper staying hurdler and it will be fascinating when the Paul Nicholls great returns next year. There were any number of runners in with a chance coming to the last but Paul Carberry timed his run to perfection and Solwhit soared clear to win at a canter. John Smith's Liverpool Hurdle 3rd Smad Place 5-1 ...Timed to perfection. Solwhit wins the Liverpool Hurdle under a cracking ride from Paul Carberry. ...Five in a line at the last. Smad Place and Solwhit at the front. Here comes Solwhit. ...Business end of the race and it is wide open. Celestial Halo shows the way from Attaglance and Holywell. ...Grands Crus is moving through the field nicely and now tracks Smad Place in behind Celestial Halo and Attaglance. ...Terrible blunder by Bear's Affair who just about stays on his feet but has been pulled up straight away. A circuit remaining and all the principles are still there. Solwhit is creeping closer.

...Outsider Any Given Day isn't travelling at all and Jason Maguire has been working hard from the outset. Celestial Halo now heads the way but there is a long way to go in this three-mile contest. ...American Spin is the early leader with Celestial Halo close behind. Grands Crus is held up in last. Interesting tactical race ahead of us. THEY ARE OFF IN THE LIVERPOOL HURDLE... 14.47 The great Big Buck's has won the last four Liverpool Hurdles but he has been out injured for most of the season and it has given a few others a chance to fill the void. African Gold is just five years old but has a good chance and has been backed into 15-2 with Solwhit the 9-4 favourite. Special Tiara races away to win the Maghull Novices Chase 14.45 JP McManus has done it all in national hunt racing. He won the Grand National with Don't Push It and missed out by a whisker when Sunnyhillboy same second last year. This time round he has four runners which takes his total to a whopping 50 runners in the race over the years.

The Irishman says he doesn't mind which of his four triumphs today although he fears Seabass. 14.40 Who doesn't love a jet ski? Actually I love the idea of a jet ski but have never been on one myself. Anyway back to Aintree... the racing continues with the John Smith's Liverpool Hurdle. Solwhit was a brilliant winner in the World Hurdle last month and he will be aiming to beat Celestial Halo and Smad Place again here. Grands Crus is also back over hurdles having been over fences before he missed the Cheltenham Festival. 14.34 A different type of horse power... Alex Ferguson owns What A Friend and Harry The Viking who both run in the National Football is such an intense industry and the need to win is always paramount. But the fun of today is brilliant. I don't get too carried away but to win would be wonderful. What A Friend has got a bit of class and he could run well. A very excitable Frankie Dettori (left) screams out encouragement 14.25 Well, well, well another big-priced winner.

Special Tiara was backed in from 66-1 to 28-1 and the gamble paid off as he reeled in an exhausted Overturn in the closing stages to take the second race. Jockey Bryan Cooper rides Rare Bob in the National later. John Smith's Maghull Novices' Chase 1st Special Tiara 28-1 2nd Overturn 11-4 3rd Alderwood 2-1f ...He's running out of steam! Special Tiara is coming back and Special Tiara has nicked it on the line. ...Overturn is seeing them off and only Sire De Grugy can go with him. ...Baily Green looks to be a long way off the pace down the back straight. Overturn is seriously applying some pressure here. Can they go with him? ...Some poor jumping from these novices here. Sire De Grugy almost falls at the third but just about stays up. No change in the order. One circuit to go. ...Big mistake by Baily Green at the opening fence as Overturn and Special Tiara set a blistering early pace. THEY ARE OFF IN THE MAGHULL NOVICES CHASE...

Ubak jumps clear to win the Mersey Novices' Hurdle 14.10 The second race of the day is the John Smith's Maghull Novices' Chase over two miles. Alderwood will be hoping to follow up his win in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham. But to be victorious he will have to get the better of the brilliantly versatile Overturn and Arkle second Baily Green. SIre De Grugy shouldn't be too far away either. 14.05 The Grand National fences have been in the headlines more so than ever in the build-up to this year's race after four National deaths in the past two years. Modifications were made to the fences before this meeting - changes that Daryl Jacob certainly noticed - but that hasn't prevented two more horses losing their lives in races over the big fences this week. Everyone will be hoping there are no more fatalities in the National today and that we will all be talking about the great stories behind the winner rather than those who don't make it through the race. Last year’s National winning jockey Daryl Jacob after the Topham Chase yesterday The fences definitely have a bit of give.

They must have, as I should have fallen two or three times. 14.00 One down, three to go... and then it's down to the real business. That was quite a shock in the opening race. Ubak hadn't been mentioned at all in the build-up but absolutely bolted up the home straight as those around him went backwards. He won be massive margin in the end at decent odds. Can the outsiders in the National continue the success of the unfancied runners? Quel Esprit and Lost Glory are just two of those who look like they have potential to spring a surprise at longer odds.

Sir Alex Ferguson watches on from the stands John Smith's Mersey Novices' Hurdle 1st Ubak 22-1 Grand National 2013 Auroras Encore wins – as it happened | Tony Paley and Rob Bagchi | Sport | The Guardian Grand National 2013 Grand National 2013: Auroras Encore wins – as it happened Auroras Encore, a 66-1 shot, won the 2013 Grand National from Cappa Bleu on the jockey Ryan Mania's first ride in the race 66-1 shot Auroras Encore ridden by Ryan Mania celebrates winning the Grand National at Aintree. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images Saturday 6 April 2013 12.10 EDT First published on Saturday 6 April 2013 05.01 EDT 5.10pm BST Goodbye That was a sensational race and a great ride from Ryan Mania. The bookies will be drinking Dom Perignon in his honour tonight. Thanks for your emails and below the line comments.

5.07pm BST 4.57pm BST Congratulations to the fence builders "That was the best National I have ever seen!" writes Sya Elwes. "It was so magic to see those amazing animals get round without injury. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Brilliant fence building. I managed to watch without shutting my eyes." Hear, hear Sya. 4.55pm BST A proper racing man writes … The Grand National has provided another sensational shock with victory for Auroras Encore, a 66-1 shot who pounded clear on the run-in under jockey Ryan Mania, having his first ride in the famous race. The winning trainer is Sue Smith, wife of the former show-jumper Harvey, who achieved fame in the 70s as a bad boy of a sport that then enjoyed much TV coverage. There was a great deal of pressure on Aintree's officials to provide a safe race after two equine deaths over the first two days of the race-meeting, despite newly softened fences. The result was that there were no fallers and no jockeys were unseated over the first seven fences, including Becher's Brook. Early indications were that all horses had returned safely.

Click here for Chris Cook's full report. 4.51pm BST And Sue Smith … Channel 4 Racing (@Channel4Racing) Winning trainer Sue Smith: "He's a grand little horse and you can ride him anywhere and anyhow. The man's given him a wonderful ride" 4.48pm BST Harvey Smith speaks (V for Victory) … You don't win a big 'un every day. We bought him out of Doncaster sales, broke him, made him, that's what we did. We're over the moon. Updated 4.46pm BST Ryan Mania speaks There are no words to describe it. I got a dream ride round, I couldn't believe my luck. I couldn't fault the horse. I had a choice of two but he was second on this course last year so I thought I better stay loyal to him. He loved every second of it. He was just class.

4.42pm BST The winning trainer and her husband (13 years ago) Sue Smith and her husband Harvey with Final Fling in 2000 Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian Updated 3.45pm BST Report from the 3.25 Courtesy of PA: "Battle Group secured his second course win in the space of just three days with a brilliant performance in the John Smith's Handicap Chase. Second in this race 12 months ago when trained by David Pipe, the eight-year-old has since joined Kevin Bishop and landed some hefty bets when running away with Thursday's Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle, a race he also won in 2011. With Daryl Jacob taking over in the saddle from Brendan Powell, Battle Group was a 7-2 favourite back over the larger obstacles and travelled with his usual enthusiasm. While on occasions in the past he has failed to go through with his effort, he bounded clear once sent on halfway up the home straight, coming home 16 lengths ahead of Mac Aeda." 3.36pm BST Father's day?

"Not since 1948 has the same stallion had his sons win both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National in one year, but that may change today," writes foal production fluid expert, Chris Cook. Bob's Worth, winner of last month's Gold Cup, is a son of Bob Back, as are Rare Bob and Roberto Goldback, runners in today's Grand National. Bob Back, a winner at Royal Ascot back in 1985, enjoyed a long life and died at the age of 30 two years ago." Updated 3.28pm BST 1973 and all that "God knows there's enough wrong with horse racing, but its greatest glory appears to be lost," writes Gary Naylor. "The 1973 Grand National commentary is unsurpassingly magnificent, as John Hamner, Julian Wilson and the incomparable Peter O'Sullevan call home Red Rum and the bravest loser in history, big, black, beautiful Crisp. 40 years on, I wanted to show my son one my favourite links and it has been deleted. We paid for this once already, and we should have it free of charge now.

It is, to use the most overworked phrase of the last 12 months, a national treasure." You're right Gary, it was unimprovable – such drama brilliantly conveyed. 3.25pm BST Do you share a birthday with a Grand National runner? Well, do you? This comes courtesy of Chris Cook: The oldest runner in this year’s Grand National is Mumbles Head, one of five 12-year-olds in the field. With a foaling date of March 8, 2001, he is one day older than Always Waining. The youngest runner is Saint Are, the only seven-year-old. Thoroughbreds have a communal official birthday of January 1 but Saint Are’s actual foaling date is Grand National eve, April 5. Aquarius Lost Glory – Sept 4, 2005 3.18pm BST Chris Cook reports on the topsy turvy week of Solwhit's jockey Paul Carberry, who has just won the third race at Aintree on Solwhit, was a doubtful participant at this race-meeting until this morning, having been bashed around a bit when unseated at Fairyhouse on Tuesday.

The veteran jockey suffered bruised ribs. Asked how confident he had been that he would be riding here, Carberry said: 'If you'd asked me on Wednesday, not really. But Thursday morning was a lot better and it's progressed all week.' He looked the picture of health in the winner's enclosure. Carberry will ride Chicago Grey in the Grand National and said: 'He'd have to have a good squeak, if he gets a clear run. He got brought down last year and hopefully he didn't get a fright from that.' Updated Liverpool Hurdle report: Courtesy of PA: Ladbrokes World Hurdle hero Solwhit turned in another superb display in the hands of Paul Carberry to claim the John Smith's Liverpool Hurdle. The talented but fragile nine-year-old proved his ability to stay three miles when claiming his seventh Grade One prize at the Cheltenham Festival, and was sent off the 9-4 favourite to make it eight on Merseyside. Always travelling well in the middle of the pack, Charles Byrnes' stable star was still cruising in behind the leaders at the top of the home straight but Carberry was keen to bide his time.

The ultra-confident Carberry was looking round for dangers between the final two flights and Solwhit sealed victory with a spring-heeled leap at the last. He kicked on up the run-in to score by three lengths from Holywell, with Smad Place back in third. Carberry said: 'He was absolutely brilliant today. He travelled great the whole way and jumped absolutely brilliant. I'd say he's nearly twice the horse today he was at Cheltenham.' Updated 3.15pm BST Record breakers Richard Johnson holds the record for the most rides in the National without a win – 16 with a runners up place in 2002 on What’s Up Boys his closest effort. He's on Balthazar King today, an 18-1 shot. Currently leading the betting are: Seabass 7-1 More on Leona Lewis's twatter attack Brendan Powell, the Grand National-winning jockey and now trainer has a good line: Brendan Powell (@bpowell13) Leona Lewis says "little twats who run racehorses into the ground" should be put down. Simon Cowell has just bought a racehorse.

Awkward.” 2.47pm BST Another owner speaks … JP McManus says he hasn't had a bet on any of his four horses and won't, it's tough enough watching them, but suggests punters might like to have a pound each way on two others, Seabass and Imperial Commander. And good news for students of Dorothy Paget – William Hill's Graham Sharpe is currently working on a new book on her. She'll be up there with David "Lord" Sutch as his wackiest subject. 2.39pm BST Ouch "One further detail on the woes of punters so far," adds Chris Cook. "Those who bet during the race on Betfair were so sure that Overturn was on his way to winning the second race that he traded at odds of 1-7. The eventual winner reached a high of 139-1 at one point." 2.38pm BST It's Chris Cook, Claims Five, CC, checking in Chris writes: Grand National day has been a nightmare for most punters so far, with the first two winners returned at 22-1 and 28-1.

At this rate, the one to back in the big race itself must be Mumbles Head or Tarquinius, the 150-1 shots. But even the trainers can be surprised by their charges. Gary Moore, trainer of Ubak, who hacked up in the opener, said it had been his original plan to send the horse for a midweek meeting at unglamorous Fontwell. Meanwhile, someone who is possibly feeling worse than the losing gamblers is the jockey Andrew Lynch, left bruised and sore by a fall here on Friday. He decided this morning to give up his rides, which included Special Tiara, the surprise winner of the second race. If Treacle were to win the National, that would be rubbing salt into Lynch's wounds. The rider who benefited was Bryan Cooper, the 20-year-old Irishman now widely seen as a new star in the sport after three winners at last month's Cheltenham Festival. He won a Grade One race here on Thursday and will ride Rare Bob in the big race at 4.15pm.

Updated Intellectual close friends get to call him TP Providing it's with dignity … Tony Paley on the 2.15: "Punters are throwing themselves off the stands. Overturn, who looked a terrific bet having drifted out to a very generous 11-4 there, is caught on the line by Special Tiara at 28-1. What might be more significant than the winning horse, which again was impossible for backers to work out in advance was the jockey in the saddle. The Irish jockey, Bryan Cooper, had a wonderful Cheltenham and he really impressed there. He is one of the best up-and-coming riders in the business right now and all his mounts are well worth noting these days. He rides Rare Bob (not without a chance) in the Grand National." Special Tiara chases down Overturn on his way to winning the Maghull novices' steeplechase. Photograph: Peter Powell/EPA Updated It still hurts … Greg Wood (@Greg_Wood_) 40 years since the first bet of my life, 10p e/w on Crisp at 7 yrs of age. Took me quite a while to forgive Red Rum.

#GN2013 #GN1973 Here's the Observer looking back at the race in 2007. Richard Pitman remembers: Then everything changed. At the second last, Crisp went from full to empty in a matter of strides. It was like a balloon being pricked. Suddenly he was going up and down on the spot. His ears were limp. He had nothing left. I hoped we were far enough clear to hang on, but when I sensed Red Rum catching us I made a silly mistake. I went for the whip with my right hand, forcing Crisp to veer away from, rather than towards, the Elbow. It cost us two or three lengths, crucial momentum and, ultimately, the National. Updated 2.04pm BST An expert writes on the 1.45 "It could be a day for the outsiders so get those pins out for the Grand National," writes Tony Paley. "Ubak started at 100-1 when he ran last time at the Cheltenham Festival and was beaten 25 lengths. Clare Balding on Channel 4 said the 22-1 winner today could have enjoyed the sunny weather. Who knows?

Certainly not the trainer Gary Moore, who admitted: 'I only declared him because there was only eight in it. I wanted to go to Fontwell next week.' File under: impossible to work out." 2.02pm BST If you've been following our racing editor's Twitter today you'll know about Armando Ianucci's imaginative genius for horse names, as you alos woiuld if you were a fan of On the Hour. Here are some of today's submissions: Armando Iannucci (@Aiannucci) Absolutely stormed up the home straight to record a maiden victory. Ubak romps home. Photograph: Julian Herbert/Action Images Updated 1.46pm BST Betting slips on the table … … I've had a £10 each-way wager on Cappa Bleu and a £5 e/w bet on What a Friend. The first was deliberate, the second was a cock-up, I'd been asked to stick it on Harry the Viking but the only thing I could remember when I was in the bookies this morning was that it was part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson and backed that instead of Harry the Viking. My mistake - but one now resolved online.

Updated 1.40pm BST Ten years on … … from Master Robert, Golden Miller won. I used to work at Sportspages, the defunct sports specialist bookshop, and this was an extraordinary read on Golden Miller's owner which was a rewarding lunchtime diversion. Dorothy Paget was an extraordinary character – not the least of her idiosyncrasies came during the second world war when she wrote to the Transport ministry asking to reserve a railway carriage to herself, because sitting next to a strange man 'is liable to make me vomit'. More on her here … Updated Isn't it great to see Clare Balding? Such a rare opportunity. Where's she been hiding herself? 1.31pm BST Good afternoon I feel like Michael O'Hehir taking over from Sir Peter for a stint. Or would O'Hehir be Barry Glendenning and I'm Julian Wilson? Any road … someone's singing the national anthem at Aintree, possibly Katherine Jenkins, I'm not all that au courant with these young pseudo-operatic types. I find their range makes my teeth itch. Yesterday morning while driving along the Great Western Road I passed a hotel named after the 1924 winner, Master Robert.

I've passed it many times but decided to get to the bottom of it once and for all – I knew the horse was Irish but couldn't work out what links does it have with a flyblown road in Hounslow? And I find that it wasn't trained nearby or anything of such significance. Instead, according to the inn itself: "Whilst the adjacent public house was being built, the Robert Inn, the horse was in the stables of Mr Lynwood Palmer, the famous painter of horses who lived nearby. He also apparently agreed to paint the sign for the hotel only if it was named after the horse. This was agreed and the sign was hung in 1929 by the owners of the horse Lord Airlie and Major Green". And 84 years on it remains the Master Robert. 1.19pm BST And as they cross the Melling Road . . . . . . it's over to my co-commentator/blogger and man in the nifty titfer Rob Bagchi. Be careful out there . . .

Updated 1.15pm BST Your guide to the other races If you were unaware there are some other races at Aintree today and our very own Chris Cook has had his nose in the form book and come up with these suggestions (I like Eduard and Cantlow but don't tell him) 1.45 Aintree No trainer is hotter just now than Nicky Henderson, who had four winners at Aintree yesterday, and his Utopie Des Bordes has a chance to show why she was brought over from France this winter. She coped well with a dry surface on her British debut at Doncaster and should be suited by underfoot conditions here. She simply ran out of stamina in the Albert Bartlett at last month's Cheltenham Festival, tackling three miles on soft going, but should be able to finish her race off much more strongly this time. The likely favourite, Up And Go, is taking a big step up in class, while Dodging Bullets has a bit to prove after his Festival flop. 2.15 Aintree This flatter track and drying surface will be perfect for Overturn, who should not be judged harshly for his Festival fourth behind Simonsig.

But he may again find himself setting the race up for a talented rival, in this case Alderwood, who belied his lack of chasing experience when cruising to success in the Grand Annual at the Festival. Good going is fine for Tom Mullins' horse, who may continue an excellent meeting for jockey Tony McCoy and owner J P McManus. 2.50 Aintree Not every winner of Cheltenham's World Hurdle is able to cope with the very different test posed by Aintree but there is no such doubt about Solwhit, who won the shorter Aintree Hurdle here four years ago on his only previous visit, when Hardy Eustace, Celestial Halo and Katchit were among those down the field. Charlie Byrnes's runner completed his recovery from injury with his recent Festival success and looks the most talented horse in the field, though he must prove that he has recovered from those exertions, an issue that cannot be taken for granted now that he is nine. Medinas and Holywell, handicap winners at Cheltenham, can make it interesting, while African Gold was beaten only by At Fishers Cross in his Festival race and that winner won again here yesterday.

3.25 Aintree Battle Group will be popular if he lines up in the attempt to win a second race in three days, having hacked up here on Thursday. But Russian War makes more appeal at double-figure odds, running from a mark just 3lb higher than when he won a handicap hurdle at this meeting two years ago. He comes from the uber-shrewd yard of Gordon Elliott and will relish this sound surface. Studying the card … Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Updated Fuck the Grand National No, come back that's what singer Leona Lewis thinks. She's not kept it to herself either. She's gone on Twitter to say so. In fact, she didn't leave it at that. She also tweeted, er, probably best to click this link and read that yourself (hence the headline). It's safe to say the racing fraternity won't be inviting her to lead the singing before the race any time soon. Trainer and ex-National jockey Jamie Osborne has already responded , as has Coral bookmakers' Dave Stevens . Apparently some have reported that she is the brand activist for the Body Shop and that this could be related to the tweet. I couldn't possibly comment.

12.16pm BST It's Alison Goldfrapp time Sunday, sorry Saturday Brunch, on Channel 4 are compiling a horsey soundtrack (it's all Grand National related you see) and they have just put up Ride A White Horse from Goldfrapp. Chicago Grey? Quel Esprit? Swing Bill? Or Tarquinius? Whatever, enjoy . . . 12.08pm BST He's walked the course - and Frankie says relax! Frankie Dettori ( he's been a naughty boy and can't ride till late May ) is at the Grand National for the first time, reports BBC reporter Frank Keogh. He's at the track to support the Legends charity race for the Bob Champion Cancer Trust before racing. Apparently, he's wearing mirrored sunglasses and we will try and get photographic evidence of that later. He's also walked the track according to the other Frank (who I can reveal does an excellent Frank Spencer impersonation) and says he enjoyed it. Well that's no surprise as he only rides on the Flat so he doesn't have to get up on a horse and ride over the obstacles. We believe you Frankie.

11.47am BST Seabass going to start favourite Have you been to the bookies yet? Have you logged on and had a punt? The aforementioned Seabass, with Katie Walsh on board, has been all the rage and as James Knight, the Coral odds complier reports, that horse is going to go off favourite this afternoon. The bookmakers are so sure they have suspended their betting on who is going to go off market leader for the big race . After yesterday's shambles at the beginning of the Topham Chase over the National fences, you may be interested to know that Coral are betting 5-6 that there will be a false start today! Clearly plenty of shrewdies think that's a cracking bet. Bookmakers display their odds for the Grand National. Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images Updated 11.42am BST What Katie did next . . . The biggest potential story today is Katie Walsh, who was third on Seabass last year, steering that horse to victory and becoming the first woman to win the race. Last year Chris Cook talked to female Grand National pioneers about that quest. You can read all about that here .

11.36am BST Ever wondered how Ladies' Day came about? No me neither but the Sunday, sorry, Saturday Brunch programme on Channel 4 devoted to the race have just revealed that . . . they haven't go a clue either. Of course we do have some idea how the famous landmarks got their names. The Chair is the biggest fence on the course, not Becher's Brook as most folk would think. And here's how that obstacle earned the moniker . . . courtesy of the Jockey Club (which, of course, is not run by jockeys and never has been . . .) Coleen Rooney arrives at Aintree. Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA Updated 11.17am BST Chris Cook reports from the track on the sticky Treacle situation . . . Noel Fehily has picked up the ride on Treacle in today's Grand National. The unlucky man who had been booked for the ride is Andrew Lynch, who is still sore after falling at the first fence in yesterday's Topham on Mister First.

Lynch's agent reports that he is not badly injured and might even be back in action at Limerick tomorrow, but says: "You have to be 100% to ride in the National, so he'll give it a miss." Fehily is a tremendous substitute. In fact, I'm surprised he didn't have a ride in the race already. He'll give Treacle every chance and, if the horse jumps round, his stamina may bring him into contention. Just looking at his National record, Fehily has only got round twice from 10 attempts but his mounts have not generally been the envy of all other riders and he's had a couple of bits of bad luck. 11.14am BST I first went to the National 30 years ago when Corbiere won (you might be able to spot me on the edited highlights on YouTube here) and you can't beat being there. Kate Miller of William Hill's is there and she's posted this view from the top of the stands. The atmosphere will be electric when the 70,000 racegoers are there later.

11.08am BST Fehily takes over on Treacle News in of a jockey change from the track. Noel Fehily will deputise for Andrew Lynch aboard Treacle in the Grand National this afternoon . Fehily comes in for the spare ride after Lynch suffered minor injuries when he was unseated from Mister First in the Topham Chase on Friday. Lynch's agent Frosty Kelly said: "He won't be riding today as he's very sore. You have to be 100% to ride in the National, so he'll give it a miss. It's nothing too serious - he got a bang on a leg and the X-rays were all clear. He might even resume at Limerick tomorrow." I've always thought Treacle needed sticky going (ouch) so going on the soft side of good would be perfect (sorry). 10.59am BST Chris Cook writes from Aintree With 40 runners lining up, Saturday's Grand National is a pretty confusing affair, even for those of use who spend the whole year watching horse races.

If you're one of the many who hasn't given the game a second thought since last year's race, it's bound to be baffling. This feature is an attempt to help you find the right horse for you. All you have to decide is this: what kind of horse are you looking for? A grey! Which would mean an unprecedented two grey winners in a row, following Neptune Collonges last year. The previous grey winner before him was all the way back in 1961 and there have only been three in more than 170 years of the National. This year's slow boats in grey coats: Chicago Grey Ninetieth Minute (Niall Madden, 2006) On His Own (Ruby Walsh, 2000, 2005) Roberto Goldback (Barry Geraghty, 2003) Weird Al (Timmy Murphy, 2008) A racegoer waits to make a bet at Aintree. Photograph: Scott Heppell/AP Updated at 12.21pm BST 10.32am BST Hello and welcome to the greatest day of the racing year bar none.

It's the Grand National, the event that transcends the sport. Everyone has their own idea of what is going to win and most people will have a wager on this one day. Personally, I loved the days before chief handicapper Phil Smith became "The Tinkerman", started fiddling with the weights and we started to get 100-1 winners again. It's not such a hot betting medium for me these days but I could not resist taking some of the 12-1 William Hill and Ladbrokes are offering about On His Own this morning. There will be plenty more, and probably much more sage advice, here in the build-up to today's first race at Aintree at 1.45 with the big race set to go off at 4.15. Stay with us here for all the latest news, opinion and best bets as we bring you the Grand National, the only Thoroughbred contest that actually merits the tag 'greatest race in the world'. Final preparations at a sunny Aintree this morning. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Updated Tony will be here shortly. In the meantime, here's Chris Cook's tip for today's National.

Get more tips in our Talking Horses blog here . Jockeys hate to choose between two horses, which carries the twin risks of offending an owner and picking the wrong one, and it makes perfect sense to delay as long as possible, even if the correct decision appears obvious. So Tony McCoy was never likely to reveal his Grand National mount until Thursday but on this occasion there is every reason to believe that he really did agonise over whether it should be Colbert Station or Sunnyhillboy and he had other attractive options. The wisdom or otherwise of his choice may not be clear until the run-in of today's famous race at Aintree. It is not difficult to imagine the pair of them sailing over the last together and fighting it out to the line for first-place prize money of £547,000. At that stage, the outcome might not matter to J P McManus, who owns both and has an exceptionally strong hand for this year's National. But, as McCoy eventually judged, the credentials of Colbert Station (4.15) are hard to beat and the 11-1 shot can give the two men their second success here, following Don't Push It in 2010.

Marked out as "strong" by the respected judges at Timeform at the start of the season, Colbert Station looked a real National prospect when weaving through a field of 27 rivals on his way to an easy victory at Leopardstown over Christmas. That valuable handicap ought to have been hard to win but he was confidently backed and justified that faith. Naturally, he is much higher in the weights today but should have more to offer. He appeals as the type to cope well with a test like this, while some of his rivals cringe and drop themselves out. Sunnyhillboy is most unlikely to do any such thing, however, having coped stylishly with the race last year, when the fences were stiffer. He looks one of the more reliable prospects in the field and should not be 20-1, though his finishing effort 12 months ago couldn't quite match that of Neptune Collonges, who pipped him on the line. With more weight on his back this time, he may again fall short. Colbert Station's trainer, Ted Walsh, has only a handful of horses at his Kildare yard and is still best known as a broadcaster and a breeder of jockeys.

But he sent Papillon over to win the 2000 National and if he repeats the feat, he will have to be acknowledged as a major talent. Walsh also has Seabass, a major contender if ridden with rather more restraint than last year by the trainer's daughter, Katie. Another attacking approach to the race, however, may leave him vulnerable to stronger finishers. Another member of the Walsh clan, Ruby, is likely to get a great spin from On His Own, running like a winner last year before getting squeezed by two others on the approach to Becher's, where he fell. Still, we cannot be certain what would have happened if he had been luckier and it is offputting that he has not raced over fences since that day. His odds are unattractively short but the same cannot be said of Lost Glory, another McManus runner, who should bounce off this drying surface. He is trained by Jonjo O'Neill, of Don't Push It fame, who will surely have him primed after a long absence and he is an interesting outsider at 66-1. At the dafter odds of 100-1, Tarquinius is also capable of a big effort.

Soft ground is not, as some believe, an absolute prerequisite for this stayer, who can make the frame with a clear run. He has recovered his form since joining Gordon Elliot, much as Silver Birch did before winning the 2007 National at 33-1. Topics Grand National 2013: 66-1 outsider Auroras Encore takes it - Telegraph Grand National Grand National 2013: 66-1 outsider Auroras Encore takes it The Grand National has been won by a 66-1 outsider ridden by a showjumper who almost quit riding two years ago - and by bookmakers who will pay out only a fraction of the tens of millions of pounds bet on the race.

Image 1 of 2 The champion: Ryan Mania soaks up the applause after riding Auroras Encore to Grand National victory Photo: Getty Images Grand National 2013: Experts verdict on who will win - BBC Sport BBC Sport Grand National 2013: Experts verdict on who will win 6 Apr 2013 From the section Horse Racing Share this page 16:15 BST Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 live or 5 live sports extra (also available online and on mobile devices). Saturday live text commentary on BBC Sport website. Channel 4 TV Racing reporters, correspondents and experts give their verdicts on who will win the Grand National at Aintree. Bob Champion, 1981 National-winning jockey on Aldaniti 1. Rare Bob 2. Cappa Bleu 3. On His Own 4. Imperial Commander "Rare Bob has been carrying lots of weight really well and his rider Bryan Cooper will be champion jockey in Ireland or England one day. The trainer's horses are flying." Gary O'Brien, BBC Radio 5 live commentator and At The Races presenter 1. Chicago Grey 2. On His Own 3. Cappa Bleu 4.

Colbert Station "Chicago Grey looks extremely well handicapped after his win in a Grade Two race at Navan and if he enjoys better luck than last year, should be there or thereabouts. Stable is in brilliant form." Cornelius Lysaght, BBC racing correspondent 1. Imperial Commander 2. Cappa Bleu 3. Seabass 4. Big Fella Thanks "Younger legs might well have found out the veteran Imperial Commander if he had run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup but his experience, quality and sure-jumping are ideal for Aintree, and will help to cancel out the weight burden." John Hunt, BBC Radio 5 live commentator 1. Imperial Commander 2. Seabass 3. Quiscover Fontaine 4. Swing Bill "I can visualise Imperial Commander jumping well and he has more than enough quality to be right there at the finish." Frank Keogh, BBC Sport racing reporter 1. Imperial Commander 2. Cappa Bleu 3. Teaforthree 4. Always Waining "The BBC are going to look very shrewd or very foolish as we all seem to be with Imperial Commander.

He's the class horse in the race. Hoping for a safe race and a great story behind the winner." Chris Cook, Guardian racing reporter 1. Colbert Station 2. Sunnyhillboy 3. Tarquinius 4. Lost Glory "The owner J P McManus has a terrific hand this year and his jockey, Tony McCoy, had a hard choice to make, but Colbert Station has tremendous potential to be better than we've seen so far and looks the right type for this test." George Primarolo, former Tote bookmaker PR chief 1. Ballabriggs 2. Joncol 3. Sunnyhillboy 4. Seabass "Ballabriggs is no back number and he is back to the same mark he was when winning two years ago for trainer Donald McCain. Joncol could surprise at a big price." Kevin Blake, Irish Field tipster 1. Chicago Grey 2. On His Own 3. Seabass 4. Cappa Bleu "Chicago Grey has a nice profile and a mid-season wind operation looks to have helped him.

Good luck to everyone having a wager." Kim Bailey, trainer of 2013 runner The Rainbow Hunter, and 1990 winner Mr Frisk 1. Seabass 2. Sunnyhillboy 3. On His Own 4. Big Fella Thanks "Wouldn't it be a great story for racing if Katie Walsh could be the first female jockey to win the Grand National on Seabass? Last year's runner-up Sunnyhillboy could go close again." Niall Cronin, Evening Herald racing correspondent, Dublin 1. Seabass 2. Colbert Station 3. Balthazar King 4. Chicago Grey "I'm going for a 1-2 for Ted Walsh, who I consider to be one of the very top trainers, with his daughter Katie on Seabass edging out champion jockey AP McCoy." Sam Turner, Daily Mail tipster (Robin Goodfellow) 1. Cappa Bleu 2. Seabass 3. On His Own 4. Always Waining "Wales are enjoying a golden sporting year and it can be capped by Cappa Bleu, who bids to become only the second Welsh-trained winner.

The last was in 1905." Lee Mottershead, Racing Post journalist 1. Seabass 2. Balthazar King 3. Colbert Station 4. Roberto Goldback "I'm predicting a fairytale and historic result with Seabass winning under Katie Walsh. The horse seemed to revel in the Aintree experience 12 months ago and, if ridden slightly more patiently, is well capable of going two places better." Declan O'Donoghue, Irish Sun reporter 1. Chicago Grey 2. Cappa Bleu 3. Seabass 4. Roberto Goldback "Chicago Grey has a handy weight and the guidance of highly-rated trainer Gordon Elliott. Roberto Goldback looks capable of sneaking a place." Rishi Persad, Channel 4 reporter 1. Imperial Commander 2. Cappa Bleu 3. On His Own 4. Always Waining "Quite simply Imperial Commander is the best-handicapped horse in the race by a country mile and the trainer's two previous winners were ridden by substitute jockeys.

Sam Twiston-Davies replaces the suspended Paddy Brennan." Graham Cunningham Channel 4 and Racing UK pundit 1. Seabass 2. Balthazar King 3. Soll 4. On His Own "Seabass was heroic in defeat when third last year and is potentially well handicapped despite carrying 5lb extra this time." Ian Bartlett Channel 4 commentator 1. Roberto Goldback 2. Chicago Grey 3. Treacle 4. Teaforthree "Roberto Goldback was brought over from Ireland to the yard of Nicky Henderson to be specifically trained for the National and can give the trainer his first victory in the race." Jonathan Neesom Racing UK pundit 1. Teaforthree 2. Balthazar King 3. Auroras Encore 4. Cappa Bleu "A good stayer, Teaforthree should have no problem with the ground and like a few previous winners, is trying the race for the first time." Paul Jacobs CNN tipster 1. On His Own 2. Teaforthree 3. Soll 4. Cappa Bleu "I think On His Own should have won last year but fell late on.

With Ruby Walsh on board, and the highly-respected trainer Willie Mullins, he will win. He looks unbelievably well weighted." Steve Jones The Sun (Templegate) 1. Seabass 2. Cappa Bleu 3. Harry The Viking 4. Ballabriggs "Seabass was third last year, looks to have the stamina for this demanding test, jumps well and appears to have been trained specifically for today." David Yates Daily Mirror (Newsboy) 1. Imperial Commander 2. Rare Bob 3. Seabass 4. Balthazar King "Well handicapped - compared to his rivals - despite top weight, Imperial Commander is a safe jumper and should stay the trip for jockey Sam Twiston-Davies." Bill Esdaile City AM racing editor 1. Chicago Grey 2. Cappa Bleu 3. Balthazar King 4. Teaforthree "Chicago Grey looks dangerously well handicapped. He stays the trip and the Gordon Elliott stable is in sparkling form.

His jumping is the only slight worry." Share this page Grand National 2013 winner Auroras Encore: How the horse, jockey Ryan Mania and trainer Sue Smith won at Aintree - Mirror Online View gallery Auroras Encore powered to victory in the 2013 John Smith's Grand National despite starting the race priced at 66-1. Sue Smith became only the third female in history to train the winner of the race . 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. Scottish-born rider Mania said: "There's no words to describe it, I got a dream ride all the way - I couldn't believe my luck.

Big jump: Auroras Encore (right) ridden by Ryan Mania clears the Open Ditch (Photo: PA) "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." Bingley-based 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. Huge crowd: Racegoers enjoy Grand National Day at Aintree "I just feel sorry for the previous owners, who were wonderful and sold him because of ill health." Smith's husband, former world famous showjumper Harvey Smith, 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." Jenny Pitman became the first lady to train a Grand National winner when Corbiere won the race in 1983, and she went on to saddle a second winner with Royal Athlete in 1995. Venetia Williams struck gold with 100-1 shot Mon Mome in 2009. Since his fine effort in the Scottish National, Auroras Encore had made seven racecourse appearances, failing to complete on three occasions and finishing well out of the frame on the other four starts. However, clearly lit up by the giant fences, the veteran enjoyed a dream run under a light weight and finished off strongly to give Mania an incredible success on his first ever ride in the race. Cappa Bleu, fourth in the race 12 months ago, put in another fantastic performance to fill the runner-up spot. Teaforthree led at the final fence but was unable to keep with the winner and faded into a gallant third.

The 12-year-old Oscar Time was second in 2011 and a fine fourth this time around. Aintree hail new era for Grand National with all runners back safe | Sport | The Guardian Aintree hail new era for Grand National with all runners back safe • First time in 166 runnings all horses reach Canal Turn • Modified fences get thumbs up from authorities Auroras Encore, second right, jumps Becher's Brook during a Grand National hailed a success by the Aintree authorities. Photograph: Scott Heppell/AP Saturday 6 April 2013 14.29 EDT First published on Saturday 6 April 2013 14.29 EDT Close This article is 3 years old Aintree racecourse and the RSPCA both hailed the changes that have been made to the Grand National course following the deaths of two horses in the big race in both 2011 and 2012. The 2013 Grand National passed without any injuries to horses or riders, and only two falls. All 40 runners also cleared the first seven fences for the first time in National history.

"I was in tears down there," David Muir, the equine consultant to the RSPCA, "because I've never seen the Grand National run that well, where horses jump fences, even when they were tired, and continued in the race. I am over the moon that they've all got back safely because that's what it's all about, as far as I'm concerned. I didn't even know who'd won the race but I know they all got back. I counted them in." Gavin Grant, the chief executive of the RSPCA, who suggested before the race that a serious incident at Becher's Brook should lead to the fence's removal, expressed his approval. "We are delighted that the changes seem to have contributed to a safe yet competitive race," Grant said. "We do note that a number of horses appeared very tired towards the end of the race. We will examine this in preparing our report for the British Horseracing Authority and Aintree on the whole meeting.

"We are grateful to Aintree and the BHA for working with us and making the improvements and we think that this constructive dialogue is the best way to improve the welfare of racehorses." John Baker, Aintree and north west regional director for Jockey Club Racecourses, said: "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 recognise 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." More than £1m has been spent on safety and welfare measures at Aintree over the last two seasons. The cores of all fences have been softened, levelling work has been carried out at others, including Becher's Brook, and the watering system has been upgraded. Roly Owers, chief executive of the welfare charity World Horse Welfare, said that the race would be "remembered for all the right reasons".

Owers added: "World Horse Welfare's concern with the Grand National was the numbers of fallers, so today is an excellent result. We are very pleased that only two horses fell, and while some unseated their riders, none were brought down by other horses. This had been a problem for almost 50% of the field over the past few years. In this race, it amounted to 20% of the field, which is a great advantage. "Aintree can take considerable credit for the improvements they have made to the course, especially the most significant changes to the fences in the race's 160-year history. It is too early to say with certainty whether the softer fences are making a difference, but … the initial signs are encouraging." The leading jockey Barry Geraghty, who rode Roberto Goldback, said: "The fences rode brilliantly. There weren't so many fallers and they were a little bit more forgiving. I had a brilliant ride but I could see horses make mistakes and not turn over, where they would normally.

[The course] was in great shape and it was a great race to ride in." Ryan Mania celebrated a first-race triumph on Auroras Encore in Saturday's Aintree Grand National Published: 6 Apr 2013 Grand National joy for a blunt Yorkshireman 42 years after he gained notoriety for a very public 'V'-sign Published: 6 Apr 2013 Auroras Encore wins the 2013 Grand National at Aintree at 66-1 Published: 6 Apr 2013 Sunday tips: Tullamore Dew at Ascot is the best bet of the day Published: 6 Apr 2013

Question: Which horse won the 2013 Grand National?
Answer: Auroras Encore