Broadway Boy cut to 4-1 for Coral Gold Cup but outsider withdrawn due to ground

The Coral Gold Cup (3.00) is one of the biggest betting races of the season and punters are backing favourite Broadway Boy to deliver the £250,000 prize for Nigel Twiston-Davies.

The second-season chaser won three times last term, including in a competitive Cheltenham handicap off just 2lb lower, and caught the eye when a promising third on comeback in October.

He was as big as 6-1 overnight but has been supported across the board and is no bigger than 11-2 with William Hill.

There has been interest in Kandoo Kid, who is 7-1 from 8, after trainer Paul Nicholls trained a double at Newbury on Friday.

Meanwhile, Iron Bridge has been withdrawn from the race due to the ground. He was around a 14-1 chance for Jonjo O'Neill.

Elsewhere, a major gamble is unfolding in Newbury's final race with Issar d'Airy cut to 9-4 (from 4) for the 2m½f handicap chase (3.35).

The Gary and Josh Moore-trained runner is unbeaten over the course and distance from two starts and finished an encouraging second on his only start of the season at Ascot in November. He shortened from 4-1 to 11-4 after the double but support has continued on Saturday morning.

At Newcastle, Sir Gino has been backed into odds-on to defeat Mystical Power in the BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle (2.10). He was Evens overnight but is 5-6 generally for the first Grade 1 hurdle of the season in Britain.

Posted at 9am

'No excuses' at Newbury with fresh ground provided

The Coral Gold Cup, Britain's richest handicap chase after the Grand National, will be run on good to soft ground at Newbury on Saturday.

It remained dry at the Berkshire venue overnight and conditions have not changed since racing on Friday. It was fractionally slower on the hurdles track, with the ground good to soft, soft in places.

It will stay dry and cloudy through the afternoon with highs of 13C.

Clerk of the course George Hill said: "We're still good to soft on the chase course but we've flipped it on the hurdles track to good to soft, soft in places.

"We had a very good day on Friday and everyone was pleased with conditions. The groundstaff did a great job. We've moved the rail in on every bend and put the hurdles in the centre to provide fresh ground so there should be no excuses. It'll be a busy day and we're expecting a good crowd."

Mystical Power: takes on Sir Gino at NewcastleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The ground at Newcastle is good for its Fighting Fifth card, featuring a high-profile clash between Sir Gino and Mystical Power.

Course officials added 6mm of watering to the track on Friday and it is forecast to remain dry through racing.

Clerk of the course Jane Hedley said on Friday: "It's been dry for the last two days and we're not expecting any significant rain before racing. Therefore we've continued with watering. We put six millimetres all the way around on Friday afternoon.

"It's just good ground, it won't be slow and we've been straight with trainers about that. Anyone that's fine on good ground will be happy. Saturday will be a nice day with bright spells. It's going to be a big day for the team and we're looking forward to it."

Posted at 9am