Dave Metcalf has over 35 years of experience in the media industry having worked for regional and national newspapers. He is a life-long horse racing and football fan, and has done interviews on various radio and TV stations, including talkSPORT and Sky Sports, whilst working as a PR frontman for major betting firm Betfred.
Dave has written for At The Races, provided betting previews for the 2010 World Cup via a website he owned. It was the first time they had covered any football event. He also appeared weekly on Sing When You’re Winning – football and general sports betting show on MUTV to provide odds and tips alongside former Manchester United striker Lou Macari.
Gambling for me is about not losing money, so when I’m betting on the horses I’m looking for ones I can back each-way and if they don’t win I still get my total stake back if they finish second, third or sometimes even fourth. Most races are a quarter or a fifth of the outright odds for a place, so depending on those terms a 4/1 shot or a 5/1 chance is the absolute minimum of interest.
Sometimes I don’t gain anything, but then I also don’t lose anything. Breaking even for a day at the races is always what I’m trying to achieve. When I went to Cheltenham for Festival Trials Day in January, I really liked the look of American – the Harry Fry horse – in the Cotswold Chase. He’d been below par in the old Hennessy, so I wasn’t prepared to back him win only at 8/1 for the big race. Lucky I went each-way as he came second, but I still made a little bit of profit from him on the place part of the bet.
Open Account Offer
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. The bonus code can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
Place a £10 fixed odds Outright bet on a nation to win the World Cup. Once placed, receive 1x free £10 fixed odds bet, 2x free £10 football spread bets. Receive a further free £10 fixed odds bet for every match your chosen nation wins during the World Cup, to a max of 7. T&Cs apply. New customers only. Spread betting losses can exceed deposit. 18+. www.gambleaware.org.
New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get £30 in Sports Free Bets & £20 in Bet Builder Free Bets within 24 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply
Open Account Offer
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. The bonus code can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
Place a £10 fixed odds Outright bet on a nation to win the World Cup. Once placed, receive 1x free £10 fixed odds bet, 2x free £10 football spread bets. Receive a further free £10 fixed odds bet for every match your chosen nation wins during the World Cup, to a max of 7. T&Cs apply. New customers only. Spread betting losses can exceed deposit. 18+. www.gambleaware.org.
New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get £30 in Sports Free Bets & £20 in Bet Builder Free Bets within 24 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply
18+ New customers only. Opt in, deposit & bet £10 or more on any Horse Racing market at minimum odds of 1/1. No Cash Out. Get £20 in Free Horse Racing Bets, selected markets. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Offer valis until 17:20 UK Time on 13.03.2026. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
Open Account Offer
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. The bonus code can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
