Grand National winning jockey Ryan Mania to be discharged from hospital today
THE racing fraternity will be breathing a huge sigh of relief following the news that Ryan Mania will be discharged from hospital this afternoon.
Mania, who cantered to victory in the Grand National on his unfancied mount Auroras Encore on Saturday, took a heavy fall during a meet at Hexham 24 hours later.
He was airlifted to hospital after being kicked between the shoulder blades and there were fears about the nature of his injury.
The jockey stayed in hospital an extra night as a precautionary method, but had tweeted yesterday: "Thanks so much for all the messages. I'm grand. Staying in hospital to get another scan tomorrow then should be home. #highsandlows".
An MRI scan revealed that Mania suffered a small fracture in his C7 vertebra and he will be free to leave hospital later this afternoon.
Mania's agent, Bruce Jeffrey, said: "Ryan had his MRI scan this morning 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."
Jeffrey also hinted that Mania could be back in the saddle this weekend if all goes to plan.