Mania hopeful of being fit if Smith opts to go for encore

It is 5lb more than last season when Auroras Encore was narrowly beaten by Merigo in a thrilling finish to the Coral Scottish Grand National that confirmed the Yorkshire chaser’s pre-eminence over four miles.

However, Auroras Encore had to carry just 10st 3lb when he and jockey Ryan Mania galloped into the record books last Saturday and became the first Yorkshire-trained winner of the John Smith’s Grand National since 1960.

In comparison, the Aintree runner-up Cappa Bleu – who had to carry 10st 11lb at Aintree – would only have to carry 11st 4lb, marginally less than Auroras Encore, at Ayr on Saturday week.

Donald McCain’s Weird Al is top weight (11st 12lb), with Teaforthree, third in the Grand National, next in on 11st 10lb.

Aintree also-rans like Roberto Goldback (11st 8lb), Chicago Grey (11st 6lb), Join Together (11st 5lb), Across The Bay (11st 5lb) and Rare Bob (11st 3lb) could all turn out again quickly.

While Red Rum pulled off the double in 1974, a feat made even more astonishing by the fact that just one week separated the two races, Bingley-based Sue Smith is known to be reluctant to race her stable star while her husband Harvey – the former showjumper – has not ruled it out. No decision will be made until the weekend at the earliest.

One factor could be Mania’s fitness; he is still recovering from a hairline fracture of a vertebra which he suffered in his first ride the day after winning the National.

The 23-year-old spent two nights in hospital before a victory parade in his home town of Galashiels, comparable to the reception afforded to tennis player Andy Murray in Dunblane after his US Open victory.

Mania will have to seek medical approval before returning to the saddle ahead of the Scottish National meeting that begins tomorrow week.

But he said: “I certainly feel as if I could be back.

“I spoke to the neurologist at the hospital and he was happy for me to be race-riding next week, but it all comes down to the medical officer. I certainly think I could ride.

“You wouldn’t think he’d (Auroras Encore) had a race, but obviously there’s a lot of factors (to take into consideration) and it’s not until next week, so there’ll be no decision made until nearer the time.”

As for the parade in his honour, he said: “There’s no words to describe how that felt. Obviously winning the National was great, but the welcome I got was just incredible. It was a miserable night, but there were thousands of people there to support me.”