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.
Champagne Stakes betting tips – Chindit a strong fancy
Chindit has looked a well-above average sort in winning both his races to date, so is a strong fancy to take the step up into Group 2 company on his stride and land the 7f Champagne Stakes for juvenile colts on St Leger Day at Doncaster this Saturday (13:50).
This Richard Hannon trained son of Wootton Bassett justified heavy support on debut over this course and distance when racing prominently before only having to be pushed out under a hands and heels ride to readily beat Alablaq by just 1 3/4 lengths.
That taking success saw connections pitch him into Listed company next time up at Ascot. Chindit had little difficulty following-up in the Pat Eddery Stakes.
After getting carried right at the start, Pat Dobbs held him up at the rear of mid-division. Chindit then made smooth headway two from home and showed a smart turn of foot inside the last to comfortably account for Cog by 1 3/4 lengths.
The runner-up won a Listed contest next time up, whilst the third home Naval Crown also went on to taste success at York before finishing third in a Group 3 at Longchamp.
Saint Lawrence, who was beaten a total of six lengths in fourth, has also landed a Listed contest since to give the form a rock solid look.
That taking success has earned Chindit an official rating of 107, the highest in the Champagne Stakes line-up, and sets a clear standard.
He also appeals as the type to go on progressing and hails from a yard that has won two of the last six runnings – including last year’s renewal with Threat.
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Trained in Ireland by Aidan O’Brien, this son of No Nay Never showed improved form in each of his four starts as a juvenile when winning twice.
The last of those successes came in the Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket, where Wichita took up the running a furlong from home and shot clear to slam Persuasion by seven lengths.
That earned him a crack at the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes over 7f at the same venue and he ran very well to finish a 4 3/4 lengths third to Pinatubo.
It was a performance which suggested Wichita would come into his own as a three-year-old. That view was confirmed when he ran a stormer when second to Kameko in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket back in June.
After being produced to lead inside the final furlong and looking the likely winner, Wichita got collared close home to go down by a neck.
Wichita backed that up with a fine 1 1/4 lengths third of seven to Palace Pier, again over a mile, in the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot where he led until being unable to find any extra in the final 100 yards.
The winner has since followed up in a Group 1 at Deauville, whilst the second home Pinatubo has also gone on to taste success at the highest level.
That gives the form a very strong look in relation to this lower grade affair. The Park Stakes is the easiest task he has faced for some time, so Wichita has to be the bet at the odds on offer.
Portland Handicap betting tips – A Momentofmadness weighted to go well
Following an improved effort last time out, A Momentofmadness looks weighted to run a huge race in the extended 5f Portland handicap (14;25).
This Charlie Hills trained seven-year-old was last successful in the 2018 running when making all and staying on strongly to beat Encrypted by three-quarters of a length of a mark of 99.
He went on to post some solid efforts in defeat last season, including when a half-length sixth off 22 to Dakota Gold in a competitive class 2 affair at York off 95.
A Momentofmadness also went down all guns blazing in this off the same rating when a half-length second of 22 to subsequent Group 1 winner Oxted.
He is now able to race off a reduced rating of 91, his lowest in over three years, so that gives him outstanding claims from a handicapping perspective.
The son of Elnadim also comes into the race having taken a big step in the right direction last time out when a two-length third of 11 to Only Spoofing at Goodwood off 2lb higher.
That was his third start following a break and he should now be fully tuned to do himself justice. So, at 8/1 with Betfair, who pay six places, A Momentofmadness looks a solid each-way betting proposition.
At 20/1 with the same firm, Justanotherbottle is another with each-way claims. He was beaten only five lengths when 10th in this 12 months ago and is now able to race off 1l lower.
This is also only his fourth start for Kevin Ryan, who does well with his sprinters, and cheekpieces go on for the first time.
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