A 66/1 11-year-old rank outsider Auroras Encore won Britain’s most famous horse race the Grand National at Aintree outside Liverpool on Saturday.

All 40 horses came back safe after the gruelling race after major safety efforts were made to ensure that the giant fences were as safe as possible.

There was disappointment for Irish woman rider Katie Walsh who was unplaced on the favorite Seabass  after bidding to become the first woman to win the race.

Auroras Encore was completely unfancied but beat 40 rivals to win the prize.

Scottish-born rider Ryan Mania 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."

Bingley-based trainer Sue 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."

Smith's husband, former world famous showjumper Harvey Smith, stated: "It's superb, absolutely spot-on.