Howard Johnson is to give Grey Abbey the chance to prove that he is a genuine Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup contender.

The Crook trainer is mapping out a select programme for the 10-year-old, who is enjoying a break following an impressive return to action at Wetherby eight weeks ago.

The bold-jumping grey, winner of the Scottish National at Ayr in the spring, demonstrated how much he had progressed by taking some notable scalps in the Charlie Hall Chase.

Johnson, mindful of how much more effective Grey Abbey is towards the end of the season, said: ''The plan is to run him in Pillar Chase at Cheltenham at the end of January which should tell us if he is a Gold Cup horse.

''I'd like to think he would run a big race there and then go for the big one but if not he will be entered in both the Aintree and Scottish Nationals.

''He's definitely a better horse after the turn of the year as he showed last season.''

Johnson also was hoping to get some vital schooling into his 220,000 guineas acquisition Mephisto this morning, as he wants to run the Ebor winner soon.

Meanwhile, Aintree is launching a racing club with the intention of buying a horse to run in the John Smith's Grand National.

The Grand National Racing Club will consist of 100 shares and the cost of membership is a one-off payment of £1,000 per share.

The £100,000 raised will enable the club to buy a good staying chaser, hopefully next month, as well as cover all the training fees and racing expenses for 2005.

Membership will not only give people a one per cent share in the horse, but will also allow access to a confidential telephone line with all the latest news about running plans and club activities.

These will include stable visits and social events, a regular newsletter and reduced admission to Aintree's eight racedays during 2005.

The horse will race for the club for a 12-month period from early next year and will also be aimed at the totesport Becher Chase over the National fences in November as well as the big race itself in April.

l Tom Taaffe is convinced that stamina will not be a problem for Kicking King in the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

The Irish raider's only previous attempt at three miles ended in defeat by Beef Or Salmon in the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal.

Taaffe, though, put that down to his charge running too free because of a slow pace.

''He ran over three miles at Down Royal in the James Nicholson Chase and it was just a messy race on very heavy ground,'' Taaffe said.

''He was just too free on the day but at Kempton they will go a gallop and it's meant to be an easier track so I'm not worried about the trip.''