Mania home to hero’s welcome
The 23-year-old rider triumphed at Aintree on Saturday aboard 66-1 shot Auroras Encore, but was airlifted to hospital the following day after falling from Stagecoach Jasper at Hexham.
The jockey was in Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary for two nights but was released yesterday and travelled to his home town of Galashiels in the Scottish Borders where hundreds of people lined the streets to congratulate him.
Mania said the last few days had been “crazy” and that he was overwhelmed by the turnout in his home town.
He said: “It means everything, I mean all these people are here to see me and it’s a bit overwhelming, really, I can’t thank them enough.”
The jockey suffered a tiny fracture to his C7 vertebra, as well as soft tissue and ligament damage due to his fall on Sunday but still managed a hug for his family.
The jockey now hopes to be back in the saddle in time for the Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday week.
“Sunday was a disaster but it happens and I feel OK now, a bit tired and sore.”
