Auroras Encore going for Grand National double at Ayr Racecourse

Just two weeks after winning the Grand National over 4 3/8 miles at Aintree Racecourse, Auroras Encore is back in action on Saturday in the $271,000 Scottish Grand National over 4 1/16 miles at Ayr Racecourse in western Scotland.

Auroras Encore, 11, will be ridden by Ryan Mania, who was aboard in the Aintree race.

The Scottish Grand National drew a field of 26. Auroras Encore, trained by Sue Smith, is a 14-1 chance and will carry top weight of 166 pounds.

The expected favorite, at 11-2 as of Thursday, is the 8-year-old Rival d’Estruval, who fell when dueling for the lead in a novice steeplechase for amateur riders at Cheltenham on March 13 in his last start. Rival d’Estruval, who will be ridden by Timmy Murphy, has been assigned 161 pounds.