• Horse Racing

Grand National winner to emulate Red Rum

ESPN staff
April 7, 2013
Auroras Encore jumps the last fence at the Aintree © PA Photos
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Shock Grand National winner Auroras Encore could now be targeted towards the Scottish National in a bid to land a rare double, a feat which the legendary Red Rum achieved in 1974.

The 66/1 shot romped home at Aintree by nine lengths to complete a surprise victory for trainer Sue Smith and Scottish-born mount Ryan Mania, and now connections of the 11-year-old gelding are looking to travel to Ayr on April 20.

Part-owner Jim Beaumont said: "We would like to go for the Scottish National, if Sue says we can."

Harvey Smith, husband to the winning trainer, said: "If he comes out of the race and says 'come on now', we'll have a run around Scotland as well."

Bingley-based trainer Smith was quick to praise the ground at Aintree, and believed that luck was also on her side as she became the third female trainer to win the Grand National after Jenny Pitman and Venetia Williams.

"I knew the ground was right for him and hoped everything else was," said Smith. "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."

Auroras Encore was beaten by a head by Merigo in the 2012 Scottish National.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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