The owner of Mecca Bingo shrugged off a fall in the number of visitors to its halls today as a surge in online players helped it toast a 9% rise in profits.

British-based leisure group Rank today said annual profits would be lower than last year as its Blue Square sports-betting and bingo operations continued to offset growth at its Hard Rock Cafe chain.

Ruby Walsh is set to partner Cornish Rebel at Ayr on Saturday in his bid to land an unprecedented National grand slam.

SHOTGUN WILLY was yesterday confirmed on course for the Gala Casinos Daily Record Scottish Grand National