2013 Grand National Winner

Auroras Encore

The 166th running of the Grand National took place on Saturday 6th April 2013 with a maximum field of 40 runners battling it out for a share of the prize fund of £975,000. The Grand National winner was Sue Smith-trained Auroras Encore, the 66/1 shot ridden by Ryan Mania. Of the forty runners that started the race, seventeen completed the course and all returned safely to their stables after the steeplechase.

Since 1960 when the race was first televised, BBC had held the rights to provide live TV coverage, however Channel 4 took over the broadcasting rights in 2013 with the BBC airing proceedings live on radio. Aintree racecourse unveiled numerous changes to the course for the 2013 Grand National with twelve of the sixteen fences being rebuilt with plastic birch replacing the timber frames. The starting line was moved some 90 yards closer to the first fence, thus reducing the overall distance slightly.

Aintree racecourse announced that 84 entries had been received for consideration in the race with eight of these being trained in Wales. Thirty-two of the entries were Irish trained runners.

The weights were announced by the BHA on 12th February 2013 with top-weight being allocated to Paul Nicholls-trained Tidal Bay (11st 10lb). This horse was withdrawn from contention just two days later due to a stress fracture in a hind leg. The final line-up of 40 runners was announced on 4th April.

Finishing Order

1:  Auroras Encore

2:  Cappa Bleu

3:  Teaforthree

4:  Oscar Time

5:  Rare Bob

6:  Swing Bill

7:  Soll

8:  Tarquinius

9:  Saint Are

10: Always Waining