2014 winner Leighton Aspell guides us around the Grand National course

Despite safety improvements in recent years, the Grand National at Aintree remains one of the toughest and most thrilling tests in sport, says 2014 winner Leighton Aspell.

Forty horses will tackle 30 fences at the Liverpool racecourse on Saturday, with punters around the country hoping to join in the winner's celebrations.

Leighton Aspell rode to victory in last year's race aboard Pineau De Re. However, this year he'll be taking him on with the Hennessy Gold Cup winner Many Clouds. Here's Leighton's guide to the four-mile, 3 ½ furlong challenge...

THE START

There's a new starting system now, which is working really well. I hope it works in this year's National because last year's start was poor.

There's a new starting system now, which is working really well. I hope it works in this year's National because last year's start was poor. It didn't look good and was the first question some people were asking about the race afterwards.

We were really anxious come to Cheltenham but it worked really well. There's a good understanding now between the jockeys and the starters - and it's all built on trust. If you can trust a starter, he will say what he says and we will respect that.

Everyone wants a good start because everyone wants to see the first fence. They've shortened the run-up to the first fence but you still see that initial early speed and it's all about trying to get a good view of the early fences.

BECHER'S BROOK - fence 6 & 22

The fence has changed a lot while I've been riding. Horses used to pitch on landing, you had to sit back and get on the end of your reins but it's not so severe now. They've modernised the landing so it's not as steep. It's a lot kinder and more horse-friendly.

When you approach Becher's, you're heading directly at a massive TV tower. When you land, you have to turn left and you want to be on the right line for the Foinavon fence which comes up really quickly.

FOINAVON - fence 7 & 23

It comes up quickly, and again you're turning left, jumping at an angle. Then you're getting into position for the Canal Turn. The fence is named Foinavon, who won a dramatic race in 1967 at 100-1.

CANAL TURN - fence 8 & 24

It's on a 90-degree angle and there's nothing like it anywhere else. The jockeys are riding it very well now. The only problem that can happen, which happened in 2001, is when a loose horse gets in the way. The jockeys ride it by starting out to the right and jumping at an angle, so you're in line then for Valentine's.

VALENTINE'S BROOK - fence 9 & 25

It's a big fence that doesn't get the attention or recognition it deserves. Mountainous and Long Run both fell at it first time round last year, but normally it's on the second circuit that it catches out the tired horses. It needs respecting.

THE CHAIR - fence 15

The race slows down by the time you cross the Melling Road and reach The Chair and the field can get quite bunched. Jockeys spread out again as they reach the fence to get a good view. It's vital to get as close to the orange ditchboard as possible, as it's a long way from one side to the other (11ft). Your horse really has to stretch to clear it. Ideally you want to meet it on a showjumping stride, getting really close to the fence and getting the horse over without too much of a mistake. It's a very important fence and the jockeys give it a lot of respect. But if you're going well and you jump The Chair well, it's a great feeling.

WATER JUMP - fence 16

It might look tricky to some viewers but it's not difficult in reality. It's a lovely little fence in front of the grandstands, the smallest on the course. You get the odd horse which might drop its hind legs in the water but it's a nice relief from the big monsters we've been jumping on our way round. Then you've got the second circuit before reaching the final fence.

FINAL FENCE - fence 14 & 30

When you jump the last, you've got to come at an angle into 'the elbow', and then you run into a funnel of noise. You've got massive stands and there's a wall of sound coming at the horse. Horses start to tire and you see a lot of results change in the final 150 yards.

The feeling when you cross the line is amazing. I was shell-shocked when I won. I was very tired and had also had to get down to a light weight for the previous race. You get a massive barrage of well-wishers then, from the other jockeys, all the connections, and then it's an absolute media frenzy.

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