Return to track likely to be 10 days for injured Mania

The 23-year-old spent two nights in a Newcastle hospital after being kicked between the shoulder blades following a fall at Hexham on Sunday, just 24 hours after he had won the world’s greatest steeplechase on Sue Smith’s Auroras Encore.

However, a hairline fracture to one of the jockey’s vertebra means that his comeback on the track is likely to be delayed until the Scottish National meeting in 10 days time at the earliest.

The jockey did attend a special homecoming party that was staged in his honour last night in Galashiels, his home town.

He was also hoping to watch a replay of the race that saw Auroras Encore become Yorkshire’s first winner of the National for 53 years.

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

“Ryan feels fine in himself and he is up and walking about perfectly fine.

“He is hoping to be back in the saddle in the very near future.

“Once again, Ryan and his family would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody for their support, it has been fantastic, and he just can’t wait to get back riding again.”

Mania later tweeted: “Looking forward to getting home to see friends and family. Would also love to see GN2013 (Grand National) replay.”

n JOHN Quinn’s ability to get the most out of dual-purpose horses continued yesterday when Hidden Justice prevailed on the Flat at Pontefract yesterday by Mick O’Connell.

This is a horse that won at Wetherby and Catterick over hurdles before being unplaced in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

O’Connell and Malton-based Quinn team up with O Ma Lad in today’s finale at Catterick when the North Yorkshire track stages its first Flat meeting of the 2013 season.

Meanwhile, Mark Johnston hopes Sir Graham Wade can pick up where he left off last season when he races at Nottingham today.

The Dalakhani colt won six races last year, culminating in a Listed success in France in October.

Johnston hopes the grey can take this prize on his way to developing into a Cup horse later in the campaign.