Ms Parfois out of Grand National but Honeyball has high hopes of Regal Encore

Anthony Honeyball has not given up on his dream of landing Saturday's Randox Health Grand National despite seeing his team for the big race reduced to one after ruling Ms Parfois out of the race on Monday.

As short as 16-1 for the National, her absence with a foot injury leaves Regal Encore as the stable's sole representative, but with Mark Walsh – fresh from festival success at Cheltenham – booked for the ride, Honeyball is hoping he can improve on his eighth-place finish from two years ago.

"Regal Encore jumped the Aintree fences in Lambourn on Saturday very economically and did a nice piece of work afterwards," said the trainer on Monday. "He looks really good in his coat and I feel like we've got a decent chance of being very competitive."

Widely available at 66-1 for the National, the JP McManus-owned Regal Encore stayed on into eighth behind One For Arthur in 2017 and was quietly fancied for the race last year when ruled out with a late leg injury.

The trainer added: "He seems as good as ever and he has the ability to get involved. I'm delighted Mark Walsh is going to ride him."

Ms Parfois appeared to be heading to Aintree with a live chance after finishing second under a big weight in the Midlands Grand National last month. However, the combination of a foot issue and concerns over the going have been enough for connections to sidestep the race.

"It's a combination of factors," said Honeyball. "She's had an infection in her foot and I thought by now she'd be A1. That might come right, but with the drying ground and forecast, we're not confirming her.

"Her foot is going the right way and we might be okay on that score, but I wanted to take her up to Lambourn with Regal Encore on Saturday to jump the National fences and, when we missed that, I just thought we were getting on the back foot.

"We're not as disappointed as we should be because we feel the ground will not be right for her anyway and that cushions the blow."

Owned by Martyn Chapman, Ms Parfois finished runner-up in last year's National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and could yet run again this spring, with the Coral Welsh Grand National the main aim next season.

Honeyball said: "She'll be entered in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown, but it would have to be wet. If it ended up wet at Perth at the end of April there is a Listed race for mares, so that would be a possible too."

Gordon Elliott has 13 of the top 40 runners left in at the five-day forfeit stage, with one of them, 14-year-old Bless The Wings, allotted the final slot on 10st 3lb.

Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson will be represented in the race, with Nicholls happy for 40-1 shot Warriors Tale to take his chance under Harry Cobden, while 50-1 chance Valtor has been confirmed by Henderson.

"Valtor is going to run in the Grand National," said Henderson on Monday. "Everything was checked this morning and all is good. He jumped the [National style] fences last week and was absolutely brilliant.

"He's not a big horse but by god he jumped them beautifully – he really was very good. He's fine and good to go for the National, while Janika goes for the Topham."

Yala Enki, a general 40-1 chance trained by Venetia Williams, has been scratched from the race along with the Henry de Bromhead-trained Sub Lieutenant.

Walk In The Mill, who was pulled out on the morning of the race last year, is now guaranteed a run for trainer Robert Walford as 38th on the list.

Captain Redbeard, Joe Farrell, Just A Par and The Young Master are the four immediately beneath the cut-off and will need others to drop out to take part.

Anibale Fly, last year's second, carries top weight of 11st 10lb, above Valtor on 11st 6lb and favourite Tiger Roll, who carries 11st 5lb.

While it may not be wet enough for Ms Parfois, overnight rain Monday into Tuesday is forecast to bring 6mm at Aintree, with a further 4mm possible on Tuesday.

The going on the National course was changed to good, good to soft in places – from good to soft, good in places – on Monday evening, with the Mildmay and Hurdle courses altered to good all round.

"We've had an overcast day with a drying wind," said Aintree clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch. "There's rain forecast overnight and into the early part of tomorrow, totalling around 10 millimetres.

"We are forecast showery weather during the week and will assess on each day. We're pleased with where we are. We started watering a week ago and there is plenty of moisture there, but I will see where we are in the morning."

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