Bookmakers were left reeling after suffering a succession of results that gave punters first-day honours hands down at Aintree today.

Grey Abbey (7-2) ran his rivals ragged for a superb victory in the Betfair Bowl at Aintree.

Howard Johnson’s decision to resist a tempting engagement in the John Smith’s Grand National with Grey Abbey could reap a rich dividend tomorrow when the 11-year-old lines up for the Betfair Bowl.

Graham Lee is free to resume his partnership with Amberleigh House in the John Smith’s Grand National after it was revealed that Grey Abbey will bypass the Aintree spectacular.

Howard Johnson has had two Grand National-style fences built as he prepares his big-race possibles for a tilt at Aintree.

Kicking King landed a famous victory for Ireland in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on the final day of the Festival today.

The participation of Grey Abbey in the totesport Gold Cup on Friday remains in the balance, despite the front-running grey being one of 16 declared for the blue riband today.

Philip Hobbs has supplemented Farmer Jack for next Friday’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup at a cost of £17,500 (€25,000).

David Johnson is hoping to recruit Tony McCoy to ride Therealbandit in next month’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Kicking King will miss the Cheltenham Festival after returning an unsatisfactory scope this morning.

Howard Johnson revealed yesterday that totesport Gold Cup hope Grey Abbey has met with a setback with the blue riband just over four weeks away.

David Casey will be be in the saddle by the end of the week as he prepares to partner Rule Supreme in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.

GOLD CUP hopeful Grey Abbey will be out to stir the emotions with another bold front-running display in the Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham today.

A RECORD entry of 152 has been received for the John Smith’s Grand National on April 9 with legendary owner JP McManus responsible for no less than 19 of those engaged.

A 51-year-old hotel manager – who made betting history by winning £879,939 (€1.3m) from a £4 (€5.90) bet – today failed in a bid to more than double his money.

Two years ago Grey Abbey finished a gallant fourth in the Scottish Grand National and another tilt at the Ayr marathon is on the cards after his resounding success in the Tote Scoop6 Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster yesterday.

Valley Henry will bid to get back on the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup trail when he tackles the Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

A field of 15 is set to go to post for the Racing Post Chase at Kempton tomorrow, with Norman Mason’s Red Striker now heading the handicap on 12st.

Doubts may surround many of the contenders for the Racing Post Chase at Kempton but punters are certainly sure about the horse to be on if early betting exchanges on the €147,000 contest are anything to go by.