Mania cleared to try to follow Red Rum’s trail

GRAND National-winning jockey Ryan Mania has been given the green light to resume racing and will be reunited with his Aintree hero Auroras Encore this Saturday.
Sylvia Merrington, who is believed to be the only female full-time racecourse ground staff worker in the country, mowing the parade ring as final preparations got underway on Beverley WestwoodSylvia Merrington, who is believed to be the only female full-time racecourse ground staff worker in the country, mowing the parade ring as final preparations got underway on Beverley Westwood
Sylvia Merrington, who is believed to be the only female full-time racecourse ground staff worker in the country, mowing the parade ring as final preparations got underway on Beverley Westwood

No horse has won the English and Scottish Nationals in the same season since the legendary Red Rum in 1974, but Bingley trainer Sue Smith has confirmed that her 11-year-old stable star will attempt to defy top weight in Ayr’s showpiece.

The participation of both jockey and horse was in doubt after Aintree.

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Mania, 23, suffered a small fracture to a vertebra, as well as soft tissue and ligament damage, in a potentially career-ending fall less than 24 hours after Auroras Encore became the first Yorkshire horse to win the National since Merryman II in 1960.

And the likelihood of good ground has prompted connections to include Auroras Encore, who was an unlucky second 12 months ago in a race that prompted the Smith stable – and Mania – to dream of Aintree glory.

Mania returns to the saddle at Ayr on Friday after being given the all-clear by British Horseracing Authority chief medical adviser Dr Michael Turner.

“I saw my own GP and then he sent the results of some tests to Dr Turner and, thankfully, he is happy for me to ride again,” he said. “I’m delighted as I wouldn’t have wanted to miss riding Auroras Encore.”

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Even though she was initially sceptical about running Auroras Encore, Smith has relented after discussing the matter with her husband Harvey – the legendary showjumper – and the steeplechaser’s three owners.

A number of withdrawals have seen Auroras Encore allotted 11st 12lb and no National winner has won a subsequent race since Bindaree in 2002 because of their sharp rise in the handicaps after prevailing on Merseyside.

“We had a pretty good idea he’d end up with top-weight, so that isn’t a surprise,” said Smith who has been riding out her pride and joy since the Grand National to assess his fitness.

“It obviously doesn’t make life easy for him and we know it’s a very big task, but the horse is in grand order and went really well (yesterday morning).

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“If I had any doubts or second thoughts about his well-being at all, we wouldn’t send him, but at this minute in time it looks like we might let him take his chance.

“If it absolutely poured down with rain and the ground went very soft, that would be a big no-no, but if the ground stays as it is, then he’ll probably run.”

Smith is set to be doubly-represented in the extended four-mile feature, with Fill The Power now guaranteed a run after climbing to 26th in the weights. She added: “He gives you the impression a trip like this will suit him and if he jumps well, off a nice weight (10st 8lb), he could run a nice race.”

A total of 37 horses have been confirmed for the Coral-sponsored race, including the Pauline Robson-trained favourite Rival D’Estruval, while David Pipe looks set to saddle Midlands National winner Big Occasion.

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The 2013 Flat campaign continues to gather pace with Beverley staging the first of 19 meetings tomorrow.

A new irrigation system has been installed over the winter at the picturesque East Riding course that will help to improve ground conditions.

The early season highlight will be the Hilary Needler Trophy on May 29 while the Beverley Bullet – won in the past two years by Yorkshire sprint kings Tangerine trees and then Borderlescott – is scheduled for August 31.

Ripon’s new campaign begins on Thursday while Saturday marks the start of Thirsk’s 159th season with prize money set for £668,000, an increase of 15 per cent.

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Trevor Beaumont, former chief executive of the Tote, has been appointed chairman of the Doncaster-based Northern Racing College in succession to Paul Greeves, who has stepped aside after three years.

The Countess of Halifax has succeeded the Duke of Devonshire as patron, and former champion jockey Kevin Darley and trainer’s wife Sarah Easterby have been appointed trustees.

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