Grand National winner Ryan Mania suffers injuries at Hexham

Grand National-winning jockey Ryan Mania has been detained in hospital after suffering neck and back injuries in a fall at Hexham.

The 23-year-old Scot - who steered Auroras Encore to a famous 66-1 success at Aintree on Saturday - fell in the 15:10 St John Lee Handicap Hurdle.

Mania, who was said to be "stable", later tweeted: "Thanks so much for all the messages. I'm grand.

"Staying in hospital to get another scan tomorrow then should be home."

Mania was riding for National-winning trainer Sue Smith on Stagecoach Jasper at Hexham just hours after posing for photographs with Auroras Encore at his stables in West Yorkshire.

He appeared to suffer a heavy kick between his shoulder blades after his horse fell, and was treated for more than half an hour at the track before being airlifted to hospital. He was conscious as he was put into the air ambulance on a spinal board.

His injuries were assessed as "severe/serious" at the course but he was later said to be in a stable condition on arrival at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

Mania will undergo a precautionary MRI scan on Monday morning.

A spokesman for the Great North Air Ambulance said: "Mr Mania has received neck and back injuries. He came off the horse at high speed and may have been hit by another horse while he was on the ground.

"He has been given extensive painkillers and is currently in a stable condition."

Clerk of the course James Armstrong later reported: "His agent and his partner are with him. I know that he's had some scans and they are waiting for the results but there's no news more than that at the moment."

Paul Struthers, chief executive of the Professional Jockeys Association, tweeted: "@Mania450 is in hospital with friends and family. He's awaiting scan results. Fingers crossed not as bad as first feared. He thanks everyone for their well wishes. Further updates when we have them. #getwellsoon."