Grand National winning jockey Ryan Mania was released from hospital yesterday after an MRI on his back and neck revealed only minor injuries.

The 23-year-old was propelled to stardom after his victory on Bingley trainer Sue Smith's Auroras Encore at Aintree on Saturday, but came crashing back down to earth at Hexham 24 hours later.

Mr Mania was kicked in the back after falling from Mrs Smith's Stagecoach Jasper at the fourth flight of the St John Lee Handicap Hurdle and was airlifted to Newcastle Hospital.

He spent two nights in hospital but no serious damage has been found and he hopes to return to the saddle within weeks.

A homecoming party was held in his honour in Galashiels, his hometown, last night.

His agent, Bruce Jeffrey, said yesterday: “Ryan had his MRI scan this morning and it has shown up a very small fracture in his C7 vertebra and there is also some soft tissue and ligament damage.”