IT WAS a fairytale Grand National result in every respect. As all 40 runners and all 40 jockeys returned home safe, Ryan Mania, having his first ever ride in the race, crossed the line first on the back of 66-1 outsider Auroras Encore.
FIND out where your money went in John Smith's Grand National with our rundown of finishers, fallers, unseated riders, pulled-up horses and one last-fence refuser.
BATTLE GROUP claimed Aintree as his own with a remarkable second win of the week and a third at the Grand National meeting in as many years.
SOLWHIT reaffirmed his position as the best staying hurdler in the absence of Big Buck's with an easy success in the John Smith's Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree on Saturday.
THE stock of jockey Bryan Cooper rose further still on Grand National Saturday as he steered 28-1 outsider Special Tiara to Grade 1 victory over Overturn.
UBAK chose racing's most famous day to post a first win as he slammed his rivals with an impressive romp in the opener on Grand National day at 22-1.
RETIRED jockey Tony Dobbin, who won the 1997 Grand National on Lord Gyllene, scooped the John Smith's Aintree Legends Charity Flat race.
KATIE WALSH will be out to try and earn her own place in history this afternoon when she attempts to become the first woman to ride the winner of the John Smith's Grand National.
FRIDAY may have been Ladies' Day at Aintree but the bookmakers reckon it could be on Saturday that girl power comes to the fore on Merseyside.
MORE water was set to be put on the course at Aintree on Friday night in an effort to ensure that the ground does not dry out unduly.
As sporting sights go, few match the sheer excitement of 40 horses thundering towards the first fence at Aintree for the John Smith's Grand National.
A race steeped in history that always provides a story, the Grand National is the ultimate test of endurance and skill for both horse and jockey, as the pairing must navigate 30 treacherous fences, and then still have enough stamina to make a challenge on the run-in.
To manage a clear round in the 4m4f epic is no mean achievement, with the fences notoriously difficult and offering unique challenges.
Over the years, there have been countless memorable moments, Devon Loch's phantom leap in the 1956 contest, Foinavon's shock 100-1 win in 1967 and the brilliance of Red Rum, who took the chase on three occasions in 1973, 74 and 77.
In 1981 Aldaniti and Bob Champion completed a heartwarming tale when winning the race, as Aldaniti had recovered from a career-threatening injury while jockey Champion had battled back from cancer.
In 2011 the race provided another fairytale story as Donald McCain emulated his father and Aintree legend Ginger when winning with Ballabriggs - and that came just a year after champion jockey Tony McCoy finally gained victory in the race at the 15th time of asking.
