The 2018 November Handicap betting tips given by Horsebetting.com experts say Royal Line was an impressive inner last time out, so is worth a bet to follow-up in the 1m 4f feature contest at Doncaster on Saturday, 10 November. The Paul Nicholls trained Birds Of Prey has shaped well in all three starts this season, so rates the main danger. Eddystone Rock, meanwhile, finished a fine third in last year’s renewal and, having dropped in the weights, makes plenty of each-way appeal in this ultra-competitive Flat handicap. For full details on these horses’ chances, read our in-depth 2018 November Handicap betting tips preview.Royal Line the one to be on in November HandicapThe feature contest on the final day of the Flat season at Doncaster on Saturday is the November Handicap (15:15). Royal Line looks to hold leading claims of landing the spoils in the 1m 4f contest after an impressive win last time out. This colt hails from the yard of John Gosden, who has won the race joint record five times courtesy of Hieroglyphic (1991), Turgenev (1992), Sabadilla (1997), Charm School (2009), and Zuider Zee (2011).
In Royal Line, the Newmarket handler has a lightly-raced four-year-old that has won three of his six starts. The son of Dubawi was sent off a heavily-backed 5/1 favourite for this 12 months ago and ran well to finish seventh of 23 to Saunter. After racing close up, he was ridden to take up the running at the furlong marker.
Royal Line then hung left and only weakened late on to be beaten 4 1/2 lengths. It was a fine effort on just his fourth start and when you consider he only made his racecourse debut two months earlier. In hindsight it was a big ask in such a short space of time, and Royal Line wasn’t strong enough to cope with four quick outings against seasoned handicappers.
He has had just two outings this year and totally destroyed the opposition last time out when landing the 13-runner Grand Metropolitan Handicap at Epsom back in April. Royal Line challenged on the bridle two from home, before quickening clear approaching the last furlong and easily beating Golden Wolf by 2 3/4 lengths.
Jockey James Doyle never had to ask him any sort of question, making a total mockery of his handicap mark of 95. The assessor hit him with a 10lb rise for that facile success, but a revised rating of 105 may still underestimate Royal Line’s ability given he remains unexposed and open to further improvement.
He looks a potential pattern performer in the making, while any forecast rain that arrives will only increase his chances. Royal Line also looks to have been saved and laid out for this. So, taking everything into account, he has the perfect profile for the race and is thus our main selection in these 2018 November Handicap betting tips.Birds Of Prey a major playerBirds Of Prey has shaped well in all three starts this season, so is another with leading claims in a typically fierce and wide-open renewal. This gelding finished runner-up to subsequent Epsom Derby winner Wings Of Eagles as a juvenile when trained in Ireland by John Oxx.
He went on to land back-to-back handicaps at Gowran Park at this time last year, after which he was sent to join Paul Nicholls. There was lots to like about his first start for the Ditcheat handler when fourth of 11 to Count Calabash at Kempton where, after being held-up at the rear, he ran on strongly to be gaining all the way to the line and beaten just two lengths.
It was a fine effort from the four-year-old following 217 days on the sidelines, while the winner went on to follow-up off 4lb higher at Ascot. That gives the form a solid look and Birds Of Prey has since finished a luckless 2 1/4 lengths fourth of 13 to Buzz at the same venue.
He was denied a clear run when making his move and had to be switched twice to get daylight. When eventually in the clear, the son of Sir Prancelot kept on nicely without being unduly knocked about. Birds Of Prey looked a desperately unlucky loser and now meets the winner on 13lb, so that should be more than enough to see him turn the tables.
There was also lots to like about Birds Of Prey’s run last time at Haydock when a short-head second of six to Mister Belvedere. He didn’t do his chances any good by pulling hard, but kept on strongly to be gaining all the way to the line. A 2lb rise to a mark of 92 for that effort looks lenient, given that the front two pulled nine lengths clear of the third home and the winner has since run a blinder to finish second in a hot handicap at York.
This large 23-runner field should enable regular pilot Megan Nicholls, who takes off a valuable 5lb with her claim, to get Birds Of Prey settled in the early stages. He is also versatile as regards ground and is a consistent sort who was won twice and been placed four times in eight starts on the turf. Everything looks in place for a big run, so Birds Of Prey rates the main danger to Royal Line. He looks a solid each-way player at the odds on offer.Eddystone Rock another to consider each-way With many bookmakers offering enhanced place terms, the well-treated Eddystone Rock is another well worth considering from an each-way punting perspective. The John Best trained six-year-old was last successful at York 15 months ago when showing a good attitude to beat Titi Makfi by a short-head in a hot 20-runner handicap off a mark of 97.
The son of Rock Of Gibraltar went on to round off the campaign with a cracking third of 23 in this to Saunter off a rating of 100. Eddystone Rock stayed on strongly from off the pace to be nearest at the finish and beaten just 2 1/2 lengths. He is now able to race off a reduced rating of 90, 10lb lower and 7lb below his last winning mark.
It gives him leading claims at the weights on the pick of his form. Eddystone Rock comes into the race having posted an improved effort in the Irish equivalent of this race at Naas six days ago when a staying on four length fifth of 20 to Mr Everest off 1lb higher.
That was a big step back in the right direction and he’s also versatile as regards ground and has proven form in big field handicaps. So, if building on his latest effort, a bold bid looks assured. That’s why Eddystone Rock features among potential punts in our 2018 November Handicap betting tips.Your Next Bet
