Desert Air, a ready winner of last weekend’s Ladbroke Hurdle at Sandown, is among 13 entries from the Martin Pipe stable for the totesport Trophy Hurdle on February 11.

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

ALBUHERA was a surprise withdrawal from the totesport Trophy Hurdle at yesterday’s confirmation stage.

End-of-season formlines can often prove deceptive and punters were stung again when Hasty Prince proved the surprise package on the first day of the Betfred Gold Cup meeting at Sandown Park on Friday.

Both Coral and Ladbrokes have cut Kicking King’s price for the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival after he won at Punchestown this afternoon.