It’s a manic Monday for hero jockey Ryan Mania who finds out if he’s fit to ride a horse from Sue Smith’s High Eldwick stable in the upcoming Scottish National – and also if that will be Auroras Encore.
The 23-year-old suffered a back injury after a fall at Hexham just after his Grand National glory and is due to see his doctor for a check-up today.
But champion trainer Mrs Smith told the Telegraph & Argus she was hopeful Mania would make it back into the saddle for Saturday’s big race at Ayr.
“All seems to be well with him.
“I’ve not spoken to him since he came down to the the yard at the back end of last week, but he seemed fine in himself.
“I really don’t know anymore than that,” said Mrs Smith, speaking yesterday.
“Now he has to go to see his doctor on Monday and that report will be sent on to be considered.”
Mrs Smith could not confirm if Auroras Encore would be entered for the Scottish National.
She is understood to be sending some five or six horses to the race.
“That will all be confirmed on Monday,” Mrs Smith said.
If Auroras Encore does enter and wins he will become the first since Red Rum in 1974 to win both Nationals in the same season.
And Mania said he was doing everything to get fit enough to ride him if possible.
But he added he thought it unlikely the Grand National winner would take part, with another ride from Craiglands Farm, Fill the Power, being his pick from the stable.
After a series of setbacks which saw him nearly quit racing, Mania has publicly thanked Sue and husband Harvey Smith for helping his successful return to the sport.
“I couldn’t have done it without them. It’s great to have such good people behind you,” he said recently.
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