Findon-based Leighton Aspell enjoyed the thrill of a lifetime when partnering Supreme Glory to second place in the Grand National.

Aspell, who is based with the Giffords, said: "I would have been happy just to complete the course but to finish second, when we knew the ground was not in our favour, was just amazing."

Aspell, enjoying his best season with 52 winners, had only jumped two Grand National fences before Saturday's race.

Twelve months ago his stirrup leather broke at the first fence in the Topham Trophy and, after kicking his foot clear of the other stirrup, he jumped the second fence virtually bare-backed. The prospect of completing a circuit under those conditions made the decision to pull up an easy one.

He said: "Before the race I was apprehensive rather than nervous. With 40 runners it would have been so easy to meet with interference early on or be brought down but, amazingly, I had a trouble-free run all the way round."

Supreme Glory, ten, won the Welsh National at Chepstow 15 months ago, so his stamina was never in doubt. But he lacks speed, which meant he was quickly a long way off the pace on good ground.

Aspell, 26, said: "The leaders seemed to steady up after jumping the water opposite the stands and this helped me to make up a place or two and get into the race.

"At Bechers Brook second time around, I was seventh or eighth, but he stood back off the fence and just stretched his head out on landing.

"At the Canal Turn, the leading four or five quickened away again and I concentrated on keeping Supreme Glory out of trouble and making the best of my way home."

While Montifault and Gunner Welburn ran out of steam between the last two fences, Supreme Glory's stamina came into play and he stayed on stoutly to deprive Amberleigh House, trained by Red Rum's handler Ginger McCain, of second place by two lengths.

Aspell said: "I was never going to catch Monty's Pass, so really it was a good a result."

The staggering £132,000 second prize money made it a great payday for the Findon horseman, whose seven-and-a-half percent was worth just less than £10,000.

"I'm pleased for the owner, Mr Moorsom and for trainer Pat Murphy. The horse went wrong before last year's National which was a great disappointment and they have been so patient with him.

"Not all owners are as loyal as Mr Moorsom, some would have taken the horse away and sent him to a fashionable trainer and the best thing is that loyalty and trust has been rewarded."

Leighton's younger brother, Paddy, who was unplaced in the first race on National day, can't wait to have his crack at the Grand National fences.

For Patrick and Mary Aspell, from County Kildare, it was a thrill to see both sons in action on the world-famous racecourse.

Leighton said: "They travelled over last year as they had already paid the fare before Supreme Glory went wrong but this time they were really part of the action."

It was a great day for the Aspell family and for Supreme Glory, who has now been roughed off until the Autumn.

Aspell said: "Although he is a ten-year-old, he is lightly raced and if the going is soft at Aintree next year, he certainly will not be a 40-1 chance."