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.
Beckett’s speedy filly taken to land hat-trick
Time Scale could not have been more impressive when scoring last time out, so is strongly fancied to take the step up into Group 2 company in her stride and land the hat-trick in the 6f Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes for juvenile fillies at Newmarket on Friday (14:25).
That victory came in a Listed contest over course and distance where the Ralph Beckett trained daughter of Charm Spirit easily beat Concessions by just under four lengths.
After showing bags of speed from the gates to track the leader travelling powerfully under Oisin Murphy, Time Scale was produced to take up the running a furlong from home and showed an electric turn of foot to shoot clear and instantly put the race to bed.
The runner-up had previously scored on debut, whilst the third home Undertake – who was beaten a total of 6 1/4 lengths – had run well to finish a 7 1/4 length fourth of 13 to Dandalla in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.
That gives the form a strong look and Time Scale had previously destroyed the opposition when scoring at Chepstow by six lengths.
The manner of both those successes suggest she is a hugely exciting prospect who is well worth a crack at this level.
Time Scale is also very closely matched with Dandalla, who is favourite for this, on a line through Undertake. So with Murphy once again in the saddle, she makes plenty of appeal at the 11/4 on offer with William Hill.
Dandalla the obvious Duchess of Cambridge Stakes danger
The aforementioned Dandalla heads the betting at 6/4 with 888sport having made it two from two when running out the emphatic winner of the Albany Stakes.
This Karl Burke trained daughter of top sprinter Dandy Man looked a smart prospect on debut at Newcastle when running on strongly to readily land a 12-runner maiden over the minimum trip by two lengths.
That view was confirmed when she relished the step up to 6f at the Royal meeting to slam the well-regarded Setarhe by six lengths.
After being steadied at the start and held-up at the rear of the 13-runner field by Ben Curtis, Dandalla made smooth headway two from home to take up the running at the furling marker.
She then readily drew clear and ran on strongly all the way to the line to win with stacks in hand. It was a dominant display and one which sets the standard in this 10-runner line-up.
The stable has also been back among the winners of late following a quiet spell, so Dandalla looks sure to make a bold bid to make it a perfect three from three in the Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes.
However, she faces a very progressive rival in the shape of Time Scale who has the benefit of proven course form to her name.
Hence, at the odds on offer, Dandalla looks worth opposing on this occasion for all that she looks a well-above average sort.
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bet365 Trophy Betting Tips – Themaxwecan and Moore a potent combination
In the bet365 Trophy (15:00), a Heritage Handicap run over 1m 6f, Themaxwecan makes plenty of appeal at the 17/2 on offer with William Hill now partnered by Ryan Moore for the first time.
This Mark Johnston trained four-year-old showed battling qualities to win on debut at Bath and went on to follow-up at over 1m 2f at Chelmsford when running on strongly to score by 3/4 of a length.
He then ran well when a 3 1/4 lengths runner-up to Technician over 1m 4f at Leicester and the winner, to whom he was conceding 10lb, has since won a Group 3 and a Group 1 to officially be ratde 116.
Themaxwecan went on to land the Brown Jack Handicap at Ascot and a six-runner affair at Goodwood off 93 and 98 respectively.
He now has to race off a career-high rating of 103 but that should not be beyond him judged on his second to Technician.
Themaxwecan also ran really well off just 1lb lower last time out when fourth of 16 to Fujaira Prince in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot and staying on to be beaten five lengths.
That was his second start of the campaign and the son of Maxios should now be fully tuned to do himself justice. The booking of Moore, who does well when teaming up with the yard, also suggests connections mean business.
Star Of The East another player for Johnston
Middleham handler Johnston also saddles another leading contender in the shape of Star Of The East who has won twice and been placed once in three starts over course and distance.
In the last of those successes, the six-year-old stayed on strongly to beat Stars Over The Sea by 1 3/4 lengths off a mark of 95.
Star Of The East went on to round off the campaign with three solid placed efforts, all off 98, and is now able to race off a reduced rating of 92.
That is 3lb lower than when last victorious and gives him a big shout from a handicapping perspective on the pick of his form.
Star Of The East also comes into the contest having signalled that his time was near on his second start of this season when a 1/2 length runner-up to Charlie D at this venue last month.
The son of Cape Cross also boasts a healthy strike rate of 33 per cent over the trip, so has more going for him than his odds of 16/1 with Betfair would suggest.
Hence, with that firm paying five places, Star Of The East simply had to feature as our each-way selection in the bet365 Trophy.
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