Grand National winner Auroras Encore was back at the Bingley yard of Sue and Harvey Smith today to bask in the glory of victory in the world's greatest horse race.

Flanked by the Smiths and jockey Ryan Mania, the 66-1 outsider, stood proudly in the sunshine at the stables in High Eldwick.

Mrs Smith said Auroras Encore was "unbelievably well" the morning after his glorious triumph in the John Smith's Grand National.

Despite being beaten just a head in last year's Scottish Grand National at Ayr, the 11-year-old was a relatively unconsidered 66-1 for the Aintree spectacular, having shown little in seven subsequent appearances.

However, clearly brought alive by the famous fences and the better ground, the veteran enjoyed a dream run in the hands of the Scottish-born 23-year-old jockey to seal a famous victory.

At her yard at Craiglands Farm, Mrs Smith said: "We're past the stage of partying all night, so we made sure we got to bed!

"The horse has come out unbelievably well this morning. His legs are sound and he's quite chirpy considering he raced for nearly four and a half miles."

Mrs Smith became only the third female in history to train the John Smith's Grand National winner.

And her achievements have been hailed by legendary trainer Jenny Pitman, who became the first woman to train a winner of the Aintree spectacular 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.

Jenny Pitman told BBC Radio today: "We've known Sue and Harvey for donkeys years and if ever justice was done, yesterday it was, as they so deserved this winner.

"There would not be one person in the horse industry as a whole that wouldn't have been chuffed about the result.

"They put their heart and soul into everything they do, they're horse people through and through."