The 2018 December Novices’ Chase betting tips on Horsebetting.com say Rocky’s Treasure is a worthy favourite to win the 3m Grade 2 contest at Doncaster on Saturday, 15 December. Only four go to post, but Coup De Pinceau is a solid forecast choice. Theclockisticking, meanwhile, is another that looks sure to make his presence felt. Read all about this graded race in our detailed 2018 December Novices’ Chase betting tips preview below.Rocky’s Treasure set for graded success in December Novices’ ChaseKim Bailey had a big Grade 2 winner last weekend with Charbel and Rocky’s Treasure can follow suit in the feature 3m December Novices’ Chase at Doncaster on Saturday (13:35). The seven-year-old has 8lb and upwards clear of his three rivals at Town Moor on official figures, so is just impossible to oppose.
Rocky’s Treasure is three out of four over fences and chased home top prospect Santini in a similar grade affair at Newbury a fortnight ago. He is also a course winner after landing a 3m handicap hurdle here in February 2017 on the forecast good ground, and also finished in front of re-opposing duo Coup De Pinceau and King Of Realms over a similar trip at Cheltenham in April.
Given what he’s achieved over the larger obstacles since, Rocky’s Treasure has obvious claims. He’s a prominent racing, front-running type that bolted up by 15 lengths at Kelso on reappearance and then followed-up at Fakenham when an even easier winner.
Rocky’s Treasure was eased close home and then an even more impressive 24 lengths victor over the well-regarded Poetic Rhythm at the Charlie Hall meeting at Wetherby. Connections stepped him up markedly in class for the John Francome Novices’ Chase on Ladbrokes Trophy and was only collared on the run-in by Santini to go down by four lengths.
That sets a clear form standard here and, despite the fact regular rider David Bass is out injured, Jonathan Burke now takes over and has been among the winners this week. Taking that all into account, Rocky’s Treasure is a worthy favourite for a deserved big race success and is readily put up among our 2018 December Novices’ Chase betting tips.Coup De Pinceau the forecast choiceWith his three rivals playing for second place, the forecast pick is Coup De Pinceau despite giving weight all-round. This Paul Nicholls trained six-year-old is two from two over fences and was just behind Rocky’s Treasure in that Cheltenham handicap hurdle in April.
After winning both his bumpers, Coup De Pinceau was second on three of his first four hurdle starts and finally broke the maiden tag in that sphere at Musselburgh in February. He then tried to give Rocky’s Treasure 8lb, but was beaten 4 1/2 lengths into sixth and now meets him over the large obstacles on 5lb better terms.
Despite the swing in weights, it may not be enough for Coup De Pinceau to reverse the hurdles form despite doing nothing wrong on his two chase outings to date. He made all and jumped slightly left on reappearance in a class 2 contest at Exeter to win by eight lengths.
Coup De Pinceau then followed-up 10 days ago at Ludlow when a pushed out 2 1/2 lengths victor after taking things up three out. Harry Cobden once again takes the ride; so, with the stable and jockey in great form, he can give old rival Rocky’s Treasure most to think about and chase him home.Don’t discount Theclockisticking Theclockisticking won unextended on his chasing debut last time out, so it looks as if there’s plenty more to come from him. Connections started the season over hurdles, but the Stuart Edmunds trained six-year-old made a winning switch to fences when jumping left and making all to score by an easing down five lengths at Fakenham.
This was a taking bow over the larger obstacles after hitting the crossbar in a number of hurdles throughout 2018. Theclockisticking was a four-length third in the Kennel Gate at Ascot 12 months ago and occupied the same spot behind Vinndication in a Listed race at Huntingdon.
He was then a two-length runner-up to Diese Des Bieffes at Cheltenham in April and a 12-length fourth giving lumps of weight away to Cool Sky at Aintree. Theclockisticking was then beaten a similar margin by Caius Marcius in the Listed 2m Prelude Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen.
As he was trying to give the winner 8lb, this was a great effort. As Theclockisticking was then a four-length fourth under a welter burden over 3m at Cheltenham, a change in spheres has brought about the improvement many of his previous runs suggested he was capable of.
With only 1lb on official ratings to find on Coup De Pinceau and King Of Realms, he is another that can make his presence felt after placing in two points. It’s Theclockisticking who could be the least exposed in this small field and completes our 2018 December Novices’ Chase betting tips for tricast punters.Your Next Bet
