'There's no race like it in the world' - Borders jockey Ryan Mania looks ahead to Grand National return

Ryan Mania celebrates his victory at the Grand National, aboard Auroras Encore, in 2013.

Published 12th Apr 2023

Ryan Mania has confirmed he's set to take part in this weekend's Grand National - a decade after he became the first Scot to win the race in 117 years.

The Borders jockey is riding 66-1 outsider Hill Sixteen, which is owned by Duns-based race horse trainer Sandy Thomson.

That's the same odds he was given before riding Auroras Encore to victory at Aintree in 2013.

Mania, now 33, revealed he still has fond memories of that day, which led to one local bookmakers running out of money.

"I am very much looking forward to going down to Aintree, it's always a very special place to go," Mania told us. "As soon as you get there, there's always such a buzz around the place - there's no race like it in the world. It is the biggest jumps race in the world, and it's great to be a part of.

"It's also great that we're completely 100 per cent Scottish - we have Scottish owners, Scottish trainer, and Scottish jockey; which is rare that something like that happens."

Crowds turned out in Galashiels to welcome Ryan Mania home following his victory in the 2013 Grand National.

Recalling his maiden victory, Mania said: "It feels like a very long time ago, and a little bit unbelievable, that it ever happened to me, but the good thing about social media is your memories pop up on Facebook every year and you get to look back at all the photographs."

And he added: "I might just watch the replay on Friday night, before heading down, just to remind myself that I actually did it."

A full field of 40 horses are set to take part in Saturday's race - with fellow Scot Lucinda Russell also bidding to win the showpiece event for a second time, following the 2017 success of One For Arthur, when she saddles current 6-1 favourite Corach Rambler.

Mania, who rode The Electrician to victory in the Novices’ Handicap Chase at Carlisle on Saturday, said: "He (Hill Sixteen) maybe doesn't have the form in the book of some of the top horses, but he does stay the trip and he's got form over fences.

"But primarily we're going because we think he has a good outside chance, and if he finishes in the first five we'd be absolutely over the moon."

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