It was worth Ryan Mania having second thoughts about his brief retirement back in 2011 as the Scottish jockey claimed the biggest jumping prize of all aboard the 66-1 shot Auroras Encore in the John Smith's Grand National.

While a popular result for the bookmakers, the most pleasant outcome at Aintree was to see all of the 40 runners and riders emerging unharmed, with the safety of the historic event under greater scrutiny than ever before.

Mania, who is from Galashiels, finished nine lengths clear of last year's fourth-placed finisher, Cappa Bleu and the boldly-ridden Teaforthree.

Reflecting on what he had achieved, Mania said: "I realise this will change my life, but I can't go too mad tonight because I am at Hexham tomorrow.

"I knew he [Auroras Encore] was capable, even though he hadn't been running well. He wanted good ground and sunshine, which is what he hadn't had. This is always his time of year, but you couldn't be confident."

For the 23-year-old, it marked the pinnacle of a life devoted to horses and racing; his parents Kevin and Lesley first sat him on a Shetland pony when he was just three. At the age of 12, he started working with point-to-pointers under the care of Borders trainer Bill Hughes and rode two winners between the flags.

He learned his craft on the common riding circuit in the Borders and attended the British Racing School. He joined Lothian trainer Peter Monteith and rode a few times as a Flat apprentice in 2008 and 2009.

But his greatest glory has come working with Sue Smith, wife of former showjumper Harvey, who becomes only the third woman to train a National winner.

Mania, who was once considered a bright prospect, explained how his career had fluctuated.

He said: "Two years ago I gave up for six months. I was riding for Howard Johnson, who was banned and the rides dried up. I was working for the Fife Hunt. I always thought I'd come back but not as quickly as I did and it was more of a sabbatical, but after two months I thought 'what am I doing?' I realised it was going to be tough, but Sue and Harvey took me in and gave me the opportunity."

The Scottish connection to this year's winner wasn't confined to the jockey; one of Aurora Encore's owners is Douglas Pryde, who lives in Edinburgh.

Pryde said: "We bought him just before Christmas when we were looking for a Grand National horse and Sue said she may have one."

As the race began, the huge field flowed over the first eight of the big green obstacles without a hitch and there were only two fallers overall (Tatenen and On His Own), with 17 making it over the line.

Mania was always in touch as various contenders hustled for the early lead and as they swept for home, his only real dangers appeared Corinthian amateur Sam Waley-Cohen's Oscar Time, and Teaforthree, who was giving Nick Scholfield an equally thrilling round.

But neither could contain Auroras Encore, who returned to a generous, if not quite ecstatic, reception in the winner's circle

The heavily-supported 11-2 favourite was the Ted Walsh-trained Seabass, third 12 months ago but Walsh could not help his daughter Katie become the first woman to win the National as he weakened to 13th, while the trainer's other runner Colbert Station unseated Tony McCoy at The Chair.

Cappa Bleu's trainer Evan Williams has saddled a placed horse for five years running.

He said: "I'm getting closer and if I had to finish second to anybody it would be to Sue and Harvey, they are legends in my eyes. I'll get there one day."

Another Welsh trainer, Rebecca Curtis, saddled Teaforthree and she said: "He'll come back here next year all being well and go for the Welsh National again first probably.

"Third in the Grand National at my first attempt is not bad and we'll try again."

Robert Waley-Cohen, owner of the Martin Lynch-trained Oscar Time, said: "He's now run in two Nationals and has been second and fourth.

"To run like that after a slightly interrupted preparation reflects greatly on Martin."

For Sue Smith, the victory would be savoured for a long time to come. She said "He [Auroras Encore] is such a grand little horse, you can ride him anyway you like. I just feel sorry for the previous owners, who were wonderful and sold him because of ill health."

The new owners are Jim Beaumont, who worked in Liverpool's Adelphi Hotel, Pryde and David van der Hoeven.

Beaumont said he wanted to see Auroras Encore attempt to emulate the legendary Red Rum's National double back in 1974 in a fortnight's time by trying to win the Scottish Grand National, a race the horse narrowily lost out on last year.

He said: "We would like to go for the Scottish National, if Sue says we can."

That would be a fitting outcome after a day of triumph that left Harvey Smith, the no-nonsense Yorkshireman who was a household name as a showjumper in the 1960s and 70s, praising an Aintree course which had has received criticism with two fatalities during the meeting despite being amended since last year.

"It's beautiful," he said. "All the horses and jockeys are back in one piece and they were 30-strong on the second circuit.

"This race will go on forever, just look at the public – it goes out worldwide and you can't beat it.

"People have asked how this compares with showjumping, but I like to look forward so this is the best and I hope there's more to come."