Grand National winner Ryan Mania hospitalised

Mania, 23, who steered Auroras Encore to a famous 66-1 success, was linking up once again with trainer Sue Smith in the St John Lee Handicap Hurdle.

His horse Stagecoach Jasper came down early on the final circuit.

Around 25 minutes after the race, Mania was still being attended to on the track by medics.

He was then taken to hospital after what appeared to be a kick between his shoulder blades.

He was described as very sore before going to Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary for further assessment on neck and back injuries.

‘Hopefully all will be fine’

Clerk of the course James Armstrong said: “All I can say at the moment is he’s conscious and talking and he is being taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle for further assessment.

“Hopefully all will be fine but we won’t have any more news until later.”

Mania was riding at Hexham just hours after posing for photographs with Auroras Encore at his stables in West Yorkshire.

The jockey had to leave the photocall at Mrs Smith’s stables near Bingley before the horse’s traditional trip to the local pub in order to get to the Hexham meeting on time.

His last tweet, posted at around 11am on Sunday morning said: That’s the press bit done. Now to @HexhamRaces to ride two for Sue Smith. #comeracing

That’s the press bit done. Now to @hexhamraces to ride two for sue smith. #comeracing

— ryan mania (@mania450) April 7, 2013