GRAND NATIONAL WINNING jockey Ryan Mania expects to return home today after he was hospitalised by a horror fall yesterday.
Less than 24 hours after his finest moment in the saddle, Mania was airlifted from Hexham racecourse following an accident at the Northumberland track.
The 23-year-old made history as the first Scottish rider to win the National when he partnered 66/1 shot Auroras Encore to a famous victory at Aintree on Saturday.
But the celebrations were shortlived and in his first ride since the win, Mania crashed out on board Stagecoach Jasper in the St John Lee Handicap Hurdle.
“Thanks so much for all the messages,” he tweeted last night. “I’m grand.
“Staying in hospital to get another scan tomorrow then should be home. #highsandlows”
Mania stole the spotlight on Saturday afternoon when he steered home Auroras Encore, a rank outsider, to win the world’s most famous horse race for trainer Sue Smith.
After the traditional photo shoot at the winning yard on Sunday morning, Mania was back in action riding for Smith at Hexham when the fall happened.
Racing was delayed while he was treated by medics on track for almost half an hour. Mania was said to be “conscious and talking” but was flown to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle for further assessment on neck and shoulder injuries.
