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.
Doncaster Cup betting tips – Revolver can gun down rivals
Rapid improver Revolver looks value to take the step up into Group 2 company in his stride and add another success to his tally in the 2m 2f Doncaster Cup on day three of the St Leger Festival this Friday (15:15).
The Sir Mark Prescott trained three-year-old began this season with a modest official rating of 57, but has thrived since having his stamina tested and has reeled off six successive handicap wins under regular rider Luke Morris.
The combination have collected at Pontefract twice, Redcar, Doncaster, Haydock and Sandown at distances up to 2m 1f. Revolver’s rating has soared to 98 as a result.
His overall profile is very similar to that of Alleluia, who won the Doncaster Cup as a three-year-old for Prescott in 2001 having won five handicaps en route.
In each of his victories, Revolver has travelled strongly off the pace before powering clear when asked and win with plenty in hand. Last time out at Pontefract, Morris produced him with a perfectly-timed run.
When shaken up, the son of Slade Power quickly put three lengths between himself and the runner-up Funny Man to score impressively.
The Doncaster Cup is a big step up in class, but Revolver still appeals as the type that has more to offer.
That ultra-shrewd handler Prescott runs him in this rather than targeting a big handicap like the Cesarewitch speaks volumes.
Indeed, since 1995, 11 three-year-olds have contested the Doncaster Cup and Newmarket handler Prescott has been responsible for six of them. His challengers have either won, been placed or run creditably.
So, in what doesn’t look the strongest renewal of the Doncaster Cup, Revolver makes plenty of appeal at the 9/2 on offer with William Hill.
Spanish Mission feared in Doncaster Cup despite stamina doubts
Andrew Balding saddled last year’s runner-up Cleonte and will be hoping to go one better with market leader Spanish Mission.
This four-year-old’s exploits last season, when in the care of David Simcock, included a four-length defeat of Nayef Road in the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket.
On his latest outing in a Listed contest over 1m 6f at Chester, he easily beat the re-opposing Selino by three lengths.
Spanish Mission tanked along on the heels of the leaders and, when shaken-up to lead inside the final furlong, showed a smart turn of foot to instantly put the race to bed. That was his first start for Balding.
Prior to that Spanish Mission had run really well when runner-up to Dashing Willoughby in a Group 3 over 2m at Sandown. He was also far from disgraced when a 6 3/4 lengths sixth of seven to crack stayer Stradivarius in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup.
Spanish Mission is undoubtedly a major Doncaster Cup player on the pick of his form. There is, however, a big question mark about his stamina over this trip which he now tackles for the first time.
For that reason, odds of 7/4 with Betfred make little appeal and Spanish Mission looks worth taking on.
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Flying Childers Stakes betting tips – Sacred a strong fancy
In the 5f Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes for juveniles earlier on the card (14:40), Sacred looks a worthy favourite to get back to winning ways following two cracking efforts in defeat.
This William Haggas trained daughter of Exceed And Excel looked an exciting prospect when making a winning debut in a 12-runner maiden over 6f at Newmarket back in June.
After tracking the leaders and being denied a clear run when making her move at the furlong marker, Sacred a smart turn of foot to bravely quicken between rivals and win going away by just under two lengths from Sardinia Sunset.
It was a most taking display. The runner-up has gone on to land a Listed contest. The sixth home Happy Romance has also won three valuable prizes since, including a Group 3 at Salisbury last time out.
That gives the form a really solid. Sacred then ran a stormer when pitched into Group 2 company and finishing a three-quarters of a length second of 18 to Campanelle in the 5f Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot.
She looked all over the winner when ridden to take up the running inside the last, but couldn’t match the finishing pace of the American raider.
Sacred has since gone down all guns blazing when stepped up to 6f and beaten just a length when second of 14 to Miss Amulet in a Group 2 at York.
She looked sure to collect until being unable to find an extra in the last 100 yards, so the drop back down to the minimum trip looks the right move.
Those performances have earned Sacred a rating of 110, the highest in the 11-runner line-up. It makes her the one to beat and she can be backed at 3/1 with bet365.
The Lir Jet holds solid each-way claims in Flying Childers Stakes
A case can be made for a few here, but The Lir Jetalso has some strong form to his name so is feared most.
This Michael Bell trained colt scored in good style on debut at Yarmouth before landing the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The Lir Jet showed plenty of pace to chase the leaders in the latter before staying on strongly to account for Golden Pal by a neck.
He showed a likeable attitude and then lost little in defeat next time up in a Group 2 at Chantilly when beaten a short-head in a four-runner affair which wasn’t run to suit.
The son of Prince Of Lir then got promoted to second last time out in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh after being carried left inside the final furlong.
This represents a return to calmer waters, so the Lir Jet looks sure to make a bold bid to go one better. At 4/1 with Unibet, he thus looks a solid each-way betting proposition.
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