Grand National winning jockey Ryan Mania is recovering in hospital on Sunday following a nasty fall 24 hours after lifting the world's most famous steeplechase on 66-1 outsider Auroras Encore.

The Scottish rider was on board Stagecoach Jasper, trained like his Aintree winner by Sue Smith, in a handicap hurdle at Hexham when he hit the deck on the final circuit.

Mania received what appeared to be a kick between his shoulder blades and was described as very sore before going to hospital in Newcastle for tests on neck and back injuries.

He was reported to be in a stable condition.

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."

On Saturday the 23-year-old Mania claimed the National on his first ever ride in the race on Smith's Auroras Encore who made the most of his lightweight and favoured good ground to beat Welsh duo Cappa Bleu and Teaforthree.