Many reasons for Leighton Aspell confidence ahead of National

Graham Clark speaks to Leighton Aspell ahead of the jockey's bid for a remarkable third successive Grand National win.

Standing on the brink of creating Crabbie's Grand National history is an achievement that would have seemed almost inconceivable to jockey Leighton Aspell just under a decade ago.

After announcing his retirement in July 2007 - at arguably the peak of his career - the 39 year-old looked set to quietly disappear away from the spotlight into the background of the sport.

Fortunately, Aspell saw the light, bringing to an end his brief hiatus away from the saddle to resume race-riding again in April 2009 - a decision which he has not looked back on since, in what has been a second coming of epic proportions.

The Irishman will see his name etched into the annals of Turf history at Aintree on April 9 should he secure a second successive Grand National victory aboard Many Clouds, leading him to become the first jockey to win it three years running, having also partnered Pineau De Re to glory in 2014.

Aspell said: "I am so glad that I did change my mind. When I did return it gave me a massive appreciation of it and I was going to cherish it and take it with both hands.

"I was working for John Dunlop in that time. It started out as a riding out job to fill a gap, then there was an opportunity as pupil assistant.

"He was a great bloke to work for and I thoroughly enjoyed it, but there was a niggling doubt in the back of my mind that I should still be riding.

"There was no one moment, it was just in the back of my mind. It was a question of just having the courage to go and make that decision.

"I put some feelers out with owners, trainers and my family and everyone was very positive about it.

"It was probably something I should have done earlier, but that's history now. It was 18 or 19 months before I got my career back on track, but I am very glad it happened."

A jockey cam sometimes judge the chance of his mount within seconds of getting on board - and for Aspell there was a feeling his prospects of victory last year were better than Many Clouds' 25-1 price tag suggested.

He said: "I was patting him on the neck at Cheltenham. He was so calm and quiet he was just a bit off that day. Early in the Gold Cup I was flat out and Many Clouds isn't slow.

"As soon as I got on him at Aintree, he had that spring in his step. The whole occasion, he just grew, there was a lovely spring in his step that was missing at Cheltenham."

While National winners have in the past often struggled to replicate their form in subsequent races, that is far from the case for the Oliver Sherwood-trained nine-year-old, who after two solid efforts in defeat, warmed up for the defence of his Aintree crown with an impressive success in a Listed contest at Kelso earlier this month.

Aspell said: "Last year he had a very tough season. Some horses would have an equally tough season and would not be the same, but he actually seems to have improved for it.

"He is really battle-hardened now. It was really good to see the enthusiasm and energy at Kelso last time. It has been under the surface all year, but hopefully it is all coming together at the right time.

Many Clouds will only carry a pound more than he did when triumphant in the Grade Three prize 12 months ago, but Aspell is of the opinion there is one horse in particular that may give him most to think about come the big day.

He said: "I've massive respect for Carlingford Lough. He has won two Irish Hennessys and brings really good form to the table.

"If he had not of won the Irish Hennessy and got a hike in the weights he could have been seriously well treated. But he showed his well-being winning that.

"I am not certain Silviniaco Conti will stay. He is a very good horse, but he has hit the crossbar a few times this year and sometimes at the end of his races he looks like he is running on fumes."

Despite the likelihood of carrying both favouritism on the day and the weight of history on his shoulders, Aspell insists he feels no additional pressure, something that is easy to believe given the relaxed nature of his character.

He added: "There is no added pressure on the riding history side of it. I am preparing for it as I would do any other race. I will try to stay relaxed and get a good night's sleep.

"I'm just feeding off the confidence in Many Clouds. He ticks all the right boxes - ability and stamina-wise.

"We've just got to keep him in the best possible shape and I am sure he will give it his best shot.

"I am very happy riding what I am riding."