Grand plans for National hope
RANDOX HEALTH Grand National contender Regal Encore has been pencilled in for the Midlands Grand National as his potential warm-up race for the world’s most famous steeplechase in April.
“Regal Encore is coming along well,” said the gelding’s trainer, Anthony Honeyball. “He could possibly run in the Midlands Grand National.
“But if it came up too testing there, he could go straight to Aintree or the Irish Grand National.
“He has got a good racing weight for Aintree (10st 12lb), whereas in the Midlands he would be one of the top weights.
“Running in the Midlands isn’t the obvious Aintree route, but that’s what we are thinking about.
“He has been pretty unlucky, and is a very genuine horse.
“He has blown a bit hot and cold but not in a temperamental way.
“He has put on some really good displays and then hasn’t had the luck on other occasions, which has put a few more letters next to his name.” JP McManus, owner of Regal Encore, was dealt a blow when his RSA Chase hope at Cheltenham, Coney Island, was ruled out of the race. The sixyear-old was 6-1 second favourite. “He badly bruised a foot during the week,” said trainer Eddie Harty. “There is no way he will run.” Bookmakers reacted to the news by cutting RSA favourite Might Bite to as short as 9-4.