Regal Encore out to retain Swinley Chase for Honeyball after absence

2.10 AscotKeltbray Swinley Chase | Listed | 3m | 5yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Key questions

Regal Encore was last year’s winner of the Swinley Chase, beating Minella Daddy by a length and a half, but has been absent from the track since November following a disappointing run at Aintree.

However after a lengthy break trainer Anthony Honeyball explained that the dual course-and-distance winner was getting back to his best and heads to Ascot with a good chance of winning again.

Honeyball said: "It hasn’t been plain sailing this time around after a few issues earlier in the season, but we’re very happy with him now and couldn’t be in better shape to try and win it again."

One key factor which could hamper Regal Encore’s chances is the weight he will be carrying. The 11-year-old is running off a mark of 152 this time, up from 150 last year, and Honeyball admitted it would take a lot for him to come out on top.

"To win off this mark would be a career best. A lot of it depends on where the others are but we think he has a good chance. He’s won at Ascot twice and clearly likes the track but hopefully there’ll still be enough cut in the ground. We’re looking forward to running him.”

Can Black Corton get off the mark this season with Bryony Frost?

As Valentine’s Day comes and goes for another year, one of racing's most loved couples Bryony Frost and Black Corton reunite in search of their first victory of the season.

Frost has never shied away from her admiration of the Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old, with whom she has partnered to seven victories, including his only appearance at Ascot in last year’s Reynoldstown Chase.

But it has been a testing period for the pair, finishing second at Wetherby and Kempton either side of the Ladbrokes Trophy when he was pulled up.

Nicholls said: "He won over fences at this meeting last year and goes there in good form."

Black Corton has won five times and finished second twice on his nine runs between 2m7f and 3m1f, and Frost will be hoping more than anyone that he can return to winning ways over his optimal trip.

Nicholls also runs Art Mauresque, and said: "He may be better back right handed although he could be in the grip of the handicapper. He's capable on his day and shouldn't be discounted."

Coneygree to roll back the years?

Without a win since November 2015 and now a 12-year-old, you could be forgiven for thinking that Coneygree was entering the twilight of his career.

Coneygree: ran well at Cheltenham in NovemberCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

However, after finishing third in the Group 3 BetVictor.com Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in November and being well in contention for the King George before unseating Sean Bowen two out, the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner has proven there is plenty left in the tank.

Nico de Boinville, who was on board for that Gold Cup victory, is back in the saddle and although entering the race off a mark of 159, the highest of the field, the Mark Bradstock-trained gelding could roll back the years on his Ascot debut.

What the others say

Venetia Williams, trainer of Calipto
He's been running well all season and should be competitive again. The conditions won't worry him and we hope he can go well again.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Crievehill
He didn't run very well on his first go over three miles last time but he has always shaped as if he would get the trip. He's at the right end of the weights and hopefully can step up on that.

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