National mania
HUGE CROWDS PACKED AINTREE
FORGET Spring Fever — the UK was gripped by National Mania yesterday as superbly named Scots jockey Ryan Mania won the biggest horse race in the calendar.
Galashiels rider Ryan, 24, won the Grand National at the first attempt on 66-1 outsider Auroras Encore.
Huge crowds packed Aintree for the National, with the obligatory silly hats, free- flowing champagne and a healthy sprinkling of celebrities all adding to the festive atmosphere.
But it wasn’t just the race that got punters partying — the long overdue appearance of warm sunshine also had them celebrating.
Temperatures were just about approaching normal for the time of year— but after the longest, coldest winter in 50 years it was considered totally tropical by the weather-weary crowds.
Among them was Coleen Rooney, heavily pregnant with her second child. With her was her family and son Kai, whom she held to watch the race.
Also at the meet was Coleen’s husband and Wayne’s boss, Sir Alex Ferguson. The Manchester United manager is part-owner of two horses that competed in the race — What A Friend and Harry The Viking.
Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins entertained the crowds after the first race of the day — the Aintree Legends Charity Race — by singing the national anthem.
Among the first to heap praise on jockey Ryan was First Minister Alex Salmond. He took to Twitter to say: “Congratulations to Ryan Mania on a stunning victory in the Grand National. Looking forward to more successes in the future.”
Meanwhile, Scots star Amy Macdonald revealed a betting blunder saw her pocket hundreds. Following a tip from racing presenter Clare Balding, Amy put an each- way punt on third- placed Oscar Time — but a mix-up saw her place the same bet twice.
The singer tweeted: “In my betting stupidity I put the same bet on twice! Not so stupid now! £800.”
The blazing sunshine seen at Aintree was enjoyed around the rest of the country, but experts reckon we shouldn’t get used to it.
Forecasters say parts of the UK can expect yet more snow today.