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.
18+ | New UK players only | Min deposit req. £10 | Certain deposit methods excluded | Place 1 sport bet (3+ selections) | Excl Horse Racing | Min stake £10 | Max stake £20 | Min Odds 2/1 (3.0) | Max FreeBet £20 for football only | FreeBet valid for 7 days | FreeBet stake not returned | T&Cs apply.
Place a £10 fixed odds single or £10 each-way bet at minimum odds of 1/2 and get 3 x £10 free fixed odds bets, 3 x £5 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x £5 Winning Favourites spread bets and a £1 racing Race Index spread bet. Spread betting losses can exceed deposit. 18+ GambleAware.org Ts&Cs apply. New customers only.
New customers only. 00:00 06/03/26 – 23:59 13/03/26. Register with FRED40, deposit with Debit Card, and place your first bet of £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to receive £20 in Sports Free Bets and £20 in Acca Free Bets within 24 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment exclusions & 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.
18+ | New UK players only | Min deposit req. £10 | Certain deposit methods excluded | Place 1 sport bet (3+ selections) | Excl Horse Racing | Min stake £10 | Max stake £20 | Min Odds 2/1 (3.0) | Max FreeBet £20 for football only | FreeBet valid for 7 days | FreeBet stake not returned | T&Cs apply.
Place a £10 fixed odds single or £10 each-way bet at minimum odds of 1/2 and get 3 x £10 free fixed odds bets, 3 x £5 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x £5 Winning Favourites spread bets and a £1 racing Race Index spread bet. Spread betting losses can exceed deposit. 18+ GambleAware.org Ts&Cs apply. New customers only.
New customers only. 00:00 06/03/26 – 23:59 13/03/26. Register with FRED40, deposit with Debit Card, and place your first bet of £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to receive £20 in Sports Free Bets and £20 in Acca Free Bets within 24 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment exclusions & T&Cs Apply.
18+. New customers only. 9am 13/02/26 – 1.20pm 10/03/26.Min 1st deposit £10. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Bet £1 Max/Min single on Dan Skelton to train a winner at the Cheltenham Festival 2026 for 6x £/5 Free Bets (valid 4 days). Stake & winnings returned at original odds as cash on settlement. Restrictions + T&Cs apply
18+ | New UK players only | Min deposit req. £10 | Certain deposit methods excluded | Place 1 sport bet (3+ selections) | Excl Horse Racing | Min stake £10 | Max stake £20 | Min Odds 2/1 (3.0) | Max FreeBet £20 for football only | FreeBet valid for 7 days | FreeBet stake not returned | T&Cs apply.
18+. New Players Only. Min Dep £20. Offer: 100% of 1st deposit up to £100 + 100 Spins on Big Bass Bonanza. Spins expire after 23:59 GMT on day they are credited. Spins winnings credited as bonus, separate to Cash funds, & subject to 35x wagering of bonus + deposit amounts. Bonus funds expire after 21 days. Affordability checks apply. Terms Apply. BeGambleAware.org.
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.
