Regal Encore team mulling Midlands National prep ahead of Aintree aim

Regal Encore could head to Uttoxeter in a fortnight's time ahead of a potential bid for glory in the Randox Health Grand National.Anthony Honeyball's nine-year-old bounced back from disappointing efforts to win a valuable prize at Ascot in December, but was pulled up at Cheltenham the following month.He is entered in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but connections have pencilled in the Midlands Grand National on March 18 as his potential warm-up race for the world's most famous steeplechase in April.Honeyball said: " Regal Encore is coming along well and 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 at the moment."He has been pretty unlucky here and there, 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."