Winter Carnival | Tips and Preview with Andy Holding

George Elek is joined by Andy Holding to look ahead to this weekend's Winter Carnival at Newbury, as well as a look at the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle.

Not the most eye-catching race on the card but Andy is keen on one in the Handicap Chase at 12.45 on Friday where Balco Coastal heads the betting at a current best price of 7/4.

Friday's Graded action starts at 13:55 with the Coral Racing Club Novices' Chase. Stage Star is massively fancied for this one with the Grade 1 winner making his first appearance since winning on Chase debut at Warwick recently. He's currently a top price of 4/5 but as short as 4/6 in places.

The second Grade 2 on Friday's card comes at 15:05 with the Long Distance Hurdle. Some familiar names line up in this one where Champ is between 11/8 and 15/8 depending on where you look. Next in the betting follow Proschema and Paisley Park at 3/1 and 9/2 respectively.

Saturday's action has several highlights on the card. The second race of the day is the Grade 2 Coral John Francome Novices' Chase. Thyme Hill heads the market at 5/4 but Gelino Bello and McFabulous aren't far behind with four set to go to post.At 15:05 we've got the Coral Gold Cup. Corach Rambler has run just once since winning the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival but appears primed for a big run. It's a typically open field for this renewal with joint favourites Threeunderthrufive and the aforementioned Corach Rambler at 7/1.

Over at Newcastle we've also got the Fighting Fifth on Saturday. At the time of writing both Epatante and the mercurial Constitution Hill have both been declared after the latter was controversially withdrawn at Ascot last week. The latter is the 2/7 favourite but Andy questions whether he'll be race ready and thinks Epatante may well have been aimed at it.

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