It’s Grand National day and Bramble the Shetland pony is standing in the middle of the sitting room.
In the saddle sits Brendan Powell Jr adorned with a helmet and an old pair of racing goggles belonging to his dad, whose Aintree moment of glory came in 1988 on board Rhyme ’n Reason.
Brendan Powell Sr’s headline act in the National annals was long before his son was born but he knows the story well – and has watched it countless times – as dad recovered from his horse falling on its haunches and belly at Becher’s Brook for a famous win.
“Dad has a frame of about six to eight pictures of what happened,” he said, “although he doesn’t talk about it too often. But if we bring up the National, he might mention that he won it!”
Powell Jr makes no secret of his desire to emulate his namesake in Saturday’s race. In truth, he has his work cut out on 100-1 shot Eldorado Allen but, in the National he argues, anything is possible such is the occasional lottery of the race.
One thing he is confident of is improving on his debut in the race 10 years ago this year when still a teenager on Battle Group. He got away well only for the field to be called back for a false start.
“He was quite a tricky horse to deal with and starts were a little bit funny with him,” he recalled. “So, the moment we got called back I knew I was in trouble.
“I was very excited for my first ride in the National but, the second time of asking, he simply dug his toes in and didn’t jump off. He refused to race.”
While far from a perfect start, he has enjoyed two top-six finishes since before being taken out at the second fence last year when he was collided with mid-air.
As for what might be in store this time around, he has no idea but it is a race for which he has more of an affinity than any other.
“Dad won long before I was born and I don’t remember watching my first National,” he admitted. “But when that was on or Cheltenham Festival, I had this Shetland pony and there are pictures of me sat on it in the house. Growing up in a racing family, the Grand National was always on the telly.”
He can’t quite remember what age it was when he started to dream of winning the National but, on the days Bramble wasn’t allowed indoors, he would straddle the arm of the sofa and whip it into submission as he pretended to emulate dad.
“I think my parents used to give me a few rollickings and I imagine we went through a few sofas in my time,” he said. “In my head, I’ve won it a few times. I’d like to win it for real.”
Despite coming from racing stock, his parents were never pushy about him entering the equine world and even allowed him a six-month spell aged 11 when he dared to dream of being a Premier League footballer before quickly realising he had two left feet.
“Horses were to the forefront of my childhood and my parents were always really supportive,” he said. “I remember wanting to be a jockey from a young age.
“Mum always tells the story. I had a pony called Snoopy I took around the fields and on the gallops. One day, he buried me walking back to the yard, stood all over me and kicked me in the face.
“I came back with a hoof print on my face and the first thing I said was, ‘I can’t wait to be a jockey!’ I’ve been used to getting a few kickings ever since.”
The hope is Saturday at Aintree won’t be one of them. As ever, he will take to the startline with the advice of his National-winning father in his head.
“One thing he’s always said over the National fences was let the fence come to you, almost like you’re going hunting and then get into a rhythm and enjoy it,” he said. “And then you know your fate after three or four races if it’s going to be a long day in the office or not!”
