JOCKEY RYAN MANIA has been cleared to return to riding, paving the way for him to an attempt a rare Grand National double on board Auroras Encore.
Mania hit the headlines earlier this month when he partnered the 66/1 shot to a shock win at Aintree, but his celebrations were cut short when he was injured in a racing accident the next day and had to be airlifted to hospital.
Following his release the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has given Mania the green light to ride at Ayr where the Scottish Grand National will be the centrepiece on Saturday’s card.
No horse has won the two steeplechase crowns since the great Red Rum in 1974 and bookmakers have priced Auroras Encore, who is carrying the top weight of 11st 5lbs, as a 10/1 shot to bridge the 39-year gap.
Ireland have a host of contenders still in contention at the declaration stage including 2012 Irish National winner Lion na Bearnai, Dessie Hughes’ pair White Star Line and Sarteano, and Oliver McKiernan’s Quietly Fancied.
