Mania raring to go for National double on Encore
Less than 24 hours after tasting victory in the world’s most famous steeplechase on April 6, Mania crashed back down to earth with a bang, having to be airlifted to hospital following a heavy fall at Hexham.
Despite suffering a small fracture to a vertebra as well as some soft tissue and ligament damage to his neck, Mania was discharged from hospital last Tuesday and has now been given the all-clear by British Horseracing Authority chief medical advisor Dr Michael Turner to return to the saddle.
Mania said: “I’m delighted as I wouldn’t wanted to have missed riding him (Auroras Encore).
“The plan is to come back at Ayr on Friday.”
Auroras Encore, a 66-1 winner of the Aintree spectacular, will have to carry top weight of 11st 12lb as he aims to become the first horse since the legendary Red Rum in 1974 to complete the rarely-attempted National double.
Trainer Sue Smith is happy to let her pride and joy line up, provided conditions do not become too testing.
Smith said: “We had a pretty good idea he’d end up with top weight, so that isn’t a surprise. 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.
“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.”
Bingley-based 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.
A total of 37 horses have been confirmed for the Ayr feature, including the Pauline Robson-trained ante-post favourite Rival D’Estruval.
David Pipe looks set to saddle Big Occasion, winner of last month’s Midlands National at Uttoxeter.
Other leading contenders include John Wade’s Always Right, Henry Daly’s Quentin Collonges, Donald McCain’s Our Mick and Godsmejudge from the stable of Alan King.
