3.15pm Exeter Tips & Betting Preview 02/12/2016

Only 6 go to post for this Novices’ Chase but this could have a big bearing towards Cheltenham as one horse makes his long awaited Chase Debut. See our full race preview and betting tips below.

IN SUMMARY: A highly competitive race can go the way of THE NEW ONE, who has schooled very well at home and the Twiston-Davies team are very pleased with all is work. He was the best of these over hurdles and there is lots of hope that he will make a better chaser on long awaited debut over the larger obstacles. Most of these have claims and it’s difficult to discount any but possibly the biggest danger will come from Frodon although he was disappointing last time out.

1 ROCK THE KASBAH – A mixed bag over hurdles but has been decent thus far over fences, winning his debut nicely at Chepstow (2m3f, Good) before slightly disappointing at Cheltenham last month (2m4f, Good). Still remains with potential and judging by his hurdles runs he should be capable of better and is a main danger.

2 FRODON – Completed a hat-trick when switched to the bigger obstacles, improving nicely each time but very disappointing in the BetVictor Gold Cup last month at Cheltenham (2m4f, Good), blundering any chance away 4 out. Still remains with potential and was 3-3 over British Fences before that run so needs lots of respect.

3 BARNEY DWAN – Very, very unlucky not to have taken victory on debut over fences when in command and all but falling at the final fence at Kempton (3m, Good), where he had no chance of recovering. He jumped well that day bar the final fence where Brennan asked his first question and the horse didn’t pick up, leading to the fall. Still remains with potential as he was lightly raced over hurdles and if improving for that first run he may well be the dark horse to this contest and has to be considered.

4 PRIMO BLUE – Only one run over hurdles where he was tailed off at Chepstow last December (2m3f, Heavy) and doesn’t make any appeal on chase debut.

5 SIR IVAN – Decent enough hurdler in the context of this race and makes his chase debut today for the inform Harry Fry team. Has a bit to find with some of these on hurdles form and probably best watched as he has his first crack at the bigger obstacles.

6 THE NEW ONE – Has schooled very well and is working brilliantly according to Nigel Twiston-Davies ahead of his long awaited chase debut. A Grade 1 winning hurdler, there is lots of hope he will make a better chaser and if jumping with fluency on debut, the mount of Ryan Hatch should have a brilliant chance of making a smooth transition to chasing.

8/11 The New One, 2/1 Frodon, 11/4 Rock The Kasbah, 5/1 Barney Dwan, 12/1 Sir Ivan, 125/1 Primo Blue