DREAMS can turn into reality through hard graft and self belief, as young trainer Anthony Honeyball has proved in recent years, and it is not inconceivable he could saddle the winner of this year's Randox Health Grand National.

In Regal Encore, the Mosterton handler has a live chance of getting his name on the illustrious roll of honour, after growing up watching Mr Frisk winning in 1990 and seeing recordings of triple National hero Red Rum's exploits.

The 10-year-old was his first runner in the Aintree spectacular 12 months ago, when he finished a creditable eighth to One For Arthur.

With that experience under his belt, Honeyball feels Regal Encore can do even better this time.

"At the time we thought he had more to give. He got tired two out, got his second wind and passed a few horses on the run-in. And on the line he was in a cluster of horses," said Honeyball, who has held a licence since 2007.

"He just wasn't in the thick of the action halfway through the race. He was quite a way back and stayed on well in the last mile, really. It all bodes well and hopefully he can improve on that run.

"I think he'll take to it again. It's just a case of having that same luck in running he had last year. He had a lovely run through last season."

A return to Merseyside was on the cards when this season started.

"The first big mission was the old Hennessy, now the Ladbrokes Trophy, at Newbury. He went there all guns blazing. We were hopeful of a good run and he ran an absolute blinder off a mark of 150 to finish third, not beaten too far and staying on," he said.

"Looking back, it was a great trial for something like the Grand National. It showed his staying ability in a high-end handicap. You couldn't get a much better staying handicap chase than that.

"We had a little blip after that at Ascot, but that was probably due to the exertions of the run at Newbury.

"He came back to his best on his latest run at Ascot with Richie (McLernon) back on board."

Honeyball has always been fascinated by the Grand National.

"It is something special. Growing up watching the race, it's amazing to think I'd have a horse running with a good chance," he said.

"We're not going in there thinking it's beyond belief. We're going there thinking he ticks all the boxes and why shouldn't he win it? It wouldn't be the biggest shock. You just need the luck.

"I've always followed the National religiously and so closely. I grew up watching the footage of Red Rum - I think it is mind-boggling he ran in five Nationals and won three.

"That's just not possible. I don't know how he could do it. The fences were at their biggest at that stage and I don't know how he didn't get tripped up by another horse or got one of the fences wrong to fall.

"Growing up, horses like Mr Frisk (in 1990) I remember winning. That sticks in my mind. I watched it every year.

"It was so exciting to watch it as a kid, so it's good to have a horse with a reasonable chance."

Honeyball paid £20,000 for Regal Encore in 2011 and he was picked up by leading owner JP McManus after making a successful debut in a Southwell bumper in February 2012.

"If you've got a good bumper horse you're not going to be disappointed if he's rated 154 and he's done it winning a couple of nice pots which is a good thing," said Honeyball.

"You don't think about having a horse with an owner like Mr McManus and one that has won good races for him.

"He bought him off the back of winning at Southwell on the all-weather. His team knew a good horse when they saw it, he was just winning on a jumpers' bumper card.

"We take it for granted now having a horse for him. But to think watching Istabraq running that I would have a couple of horses for Mr McManus, it's incredible. But we've worked very hard and hope to keep having horses for him.

"We're trying to build a solid base of about 40 horses and try to keep improving the quality."