National hero: Aintree winner Auroras Encore drops in at moorland local

The 11-year-old was pictured with staff and customers at Dick Hudsons pub on Baildon Moor less than 24 hours after galloping into the history books in the world’s greatest steeplechase.

Despite being unfancied by many leading commentators, the steeplechaser was backed by his many local supporters at odds of 66-1 after beating 39 other runners to win racing’s most iconic prize for Sue Smith, who became only the third female trainer to win the race.

The shock result, with Katie Walsh unplaced on the favourite Seabass, prompted Ladbrokes supremo Mike Dillon to remark: “It was our best Grand National result in history. As much as we have won on the race, the real winner is the race itself after every horse returned sound.”

As former Guiseley School pupil Ryan Clavin, the horse’s work rider, led Auroras Encore across the still snow-covered moors to the pub, the trainer’s husband Harvey – the showjumping legend – stood in the road to stop any oncoming traffic.

His pride was palpable as 
he told pub regulars that he 
had never doubted the horse’s ability.

As featured in Saturday’s Yorkshire Post, he had worked tirelessly to clear his gallops of snow so Auroras Encore could complete his preparations last Tuesday.

The one downside was that winning jockey Ryan Mania had to be airlifted to hospital yesterday after suffering a heavy fall in his first race since winning the National, a feat that he achieved at the first attempt.