Evening all,

The Coral Gold Cup (3.05) still known as the ‘Hennessy’ by many ounters is one of the highlights of the autumn phase of the winter jumps campaign. The supporting races on the Newbury card include the Grade 2 John Francome Novices' Chase (12:45) and four competitive handicaps.

This year’s renewal seems likely to share the sports headlines with Newcastle. There’s no reason why it shouldn’t either. Especially as it plays host to the only Grade 1 race this weekend in the Betfair ‘Fighting Fifth’ Hurdle (2.10). The Fighting Fifth will garner the headline because a certain Constitution Hill will make his reappearance in the race after missing his intended assignment at Ascot last Saturday due to the ground.

ITV3 are covering eight races from Newbury and Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.

International race fans are in for a treat on Sunday morning (6:40) as its the Japan Cup in Tokyo. There’s no Arc heroine Alpinista for the race which hasn’t been won by a foreign trained horse since 2005. However, there’s a decent European challenge for the £2.5 million first prize.

The highlight of Sunday’s racing this side of the world is Navan’s valuable Troytown Handicap Chase (2:20).

Newcastle

It’s kind of ironic but if Constitution Hill wasn’t running in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, then the race would be a more interesting betting heat. I covered the race in Thursday’s preview, and I don’t need to add anything new. Suffice to say it’s a race I will be watching rather than betting in.

I also previewed Newcastle’s Rehearsal Chase this week. The race see’s the return of Cheltenham Festival winner winner. L'Homme Presse who will carry top-weight of 12-00. The likely favourite faces eight rivals who include the improving Into Overdrive, last year’s winner Aye Right and the long absent Happygolucky.

If the trends are right, you want a horse who is carrying 10-10 or bigger. There are just four qualifiers: L'Homme Presse, Aye Right, Happygolucky and Dingo Dollar.  It will be no easy task for the top-weight and his biggest rival could turn out to be Happygolucky.

Newbury

Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase (3:05)

I previewed the Coral Gold Cup in Wednesday’s column. For those looking to the trends to guide them. Well, there are five qualifiers: Remastered, Our Power, Lord Accord, Annsam and one of the rank outsiders in the field Diablo De Rouhet.

Corach Rambler and Remasteredhave been vying for favouritism in the ante post market. However, there has been support in recent days for the Paul Nicholls trained Threeunderthrufive, Le Milos and Irish challenger Busselton.

The David Pipe pair of Remastered & Gericault Roque have strong form claims. The first named was going as well as anything when falling in last year’s race. Gericault Roque has yet to win over fences but surely will land one before too long and remains open to improvement.

There is a good pot in Corach Rambler I’m sure of that. I wonder if he might find himself too far back before staying on at the finish. Le Milos is going the right way and there should be more to come from the improving 7-year-old. If there was more ease in the ground, I would really like his claims more.

Good ground will suit both Lord Accord and Our Power and we likely haven’t seen the best of Annsam over fences.

Sir Peter O'Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase (1:20)

Kapcorse seems to like this race. He won it in 2018 and followed up again last year. This will have been his target again.

Demachine was in winning form when last seen in action at Uttoxeter in May. The handicapper has only raised the 8-year-old 4lb and he won’t be far away.

Java Point made it 3-6 over fences when winning here over 1f further in April. Might be better over further but he’s a contender and trainer Tom George saddled the winner of this in 2016.

Killer Kane ran like the race was needed when a 9 ½ length 6th of 11 at Exeter 22-days ago. Looks on a competitive mark although others are preferred.

Coral Racing Club Handicap Hurdle (1:55)

One of the most competitive races on the card. Two recent eyecatchers Current Mood and Petit Tonnerre are among the 12 runners which doesn’t make things easier. Current Mood made a pleasing return to action when 8 ¼ length 3^rd of 12 at Ffos Las last month. Off the same mark here and he can win races over hurdles, but this is a better race than last time. Petit Tonnerre was back to form when a 1 ¼ length 3^rd of 11 to Peking Rose at Aintree on his seasonal return. A stronger gallop would have suited the 4-year-old that day which he might not get here. That said he’s capable of more progress and gets a handy 3lb from Peking Rose. The latter showed a good attitude to prevail at Aintree, and he can’t be ruled out.

Walking On Air & West Balboa are both unexposed over hurdles and are of interest on handicap debut. They are in the could be anything category but looking at their odds the bookies are taking no chances.

Malakahna made it 4-7 over hurdles when winning a valuable mares’ only handicap hurdle at Cheltenham in April from 5lb lower. Returns to hurdles after two improved wins on the flat this autumn. The latest of them coming at Newmarket last month. Not the biggest but she should be suited by the step up to 2m 4f.

Coral Bet Bundles Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (2:30)

It’s hard to look beyond First Street if he reproduces his 1 ¼ length 2^nd of 26 to State Man in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Trainer Nicky Henderson has saddled the winner of the race four times since 2012.

Pikar was highly tried in three starts in novice company last season and the 5-year-old looked progressive when running out a five length winner of a Chepstow novice hurdle last month and is respected on handicap debut.

Teddy Blue was another to be highly tried last season. Runner-up on his seasonal reappearance in a Listed race at Kempton. The 4-year-old took advantage of a drop in class, to make all for a very in a Fontwell maiden hurdle 22-days ago and looks on workable mark for his handicap hurdle.

Coral Get Closer To The Action Handicap Chase (3:40)

Amarillo Sky a previous C&D winner made a winning return to action at Cheltenham 15-days ago. He’s up 4lb but he jumps well and has a favourites chance of following up.

Eclair D'Ainay won the Castleford Handicap Chase at Wetherby last Christmas butmight need the run and could do with softer ground.

Monsieur Lecoq isn’t the most consistent of handicap chasers but was on a going day when winning over C&D in March. Capable of going close, for an inform yard, but his best performances have softer ground than he’s likely to get here.

Saturday Selection:

Abuffalosoldier was a welcome winner for the column at Newbury. I’m off to Newbury once again for today’s selection.

Newbury

1:20 – Demachine – 6/1 @ Bet365 & Coral.

Good luck with your Saturday bets.

John