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.
O’Brien filly can complete Classic double
Love looks a worthy favourite to complete a Classic double and provide trainer Aidan O’Brien with yet another winner of the Epsom Oaks on Saturday (15:40).
The Ballydoyle maestro saddled the winner of the 1m 4f Group 1 contest for three-year-old fillies on seven occasions.
In Love, O’Brien has a beautifully bred daughter of Galileo who has won four of her eight starts and shown improved form in each.
She showed a willing attitude on her penultimate start as a juvenile when staying on strongly to land the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at The Curragh by three-quarters of a length from Daahyeh.
Love was far from disgraced when a 1 3/4 lengths third to Quadrilateral in the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket. She looked the type that would come into her own as a three-year-old.
That view was confirmed when she ran out an impressive winner of the 1000 Guineas again at Newmarket on her return to action last month.
After racing out wide but in touch under Ryan Moore, Love took close order two from home before being produced to take things up at the furlong marker.
She then showed a smart turn of foot to forge clear and easily account for Cloak Of Spirits by 4 1/4 lengths. It was a totally dominant display.
Love hit the line hard, suggesting she would have no problem staying the extra four furlongs of the Epsom Oaks.
She also appeals as the type to go on progressing now stepped up in trip and once again has the services of Moore in the saddle.
So, taking everything into account, odds of 11/10 with 888sport, look fully justified for Love to complete a Classic double.
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Newmarket handler John Gosden has won three of the last six renewals of the Epsom Oaks and looks to have another leading contender on his hands in the shape of Frankly Darling.
This daughter of Frankel shaped with stacks of promise on her sole start as a juvenile at Yarmouth when keeping on nicely to be beaten just a length by Cabaletta.
Frankly Darling then looked to have strengthened up significantly on her on return action at Newcastle last month when romping to a five-length success over Thibaan.
After racing close up and wide, she only had to be shaken up to readily take up the running a furlong home before showing an electric turn of foot to quickly put the race to bed.
It was a performance that oozed class. Frankly Darling has since taken the step up into Group 2 company in her stride when landing the 1m 4f Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.
After tracking the leader travelling strongly, she took up the running two from home and only had to be kept up to her work inside the last by Frankie Dettori to readily beat Ennistymon by just under two lengths.
Frankly Darling was always holding the runner-up and value for more than the winning margin. She is fully expected to confirm the form with the O’Brien trained Irish raider.
To win at the highest level on just her third start suggested the Frankly Darling was something special and needed keeping firmly onside.
This is a deeper contest, but Frankly Darling looks sure to make a bold bid to land the hat-trick. She can be backed at 2/1 with Betfred to do just that and looks the obvious danger to Love.
Passion the each-way value in Epsom Oaks
Given her fine run behind Frankly Darling, Ennistymon holds obvious claims. However, her stable companion Passion appeals as better value at the double figure odds on offer.
This O’Brien trained daughter of Derby winner Galileo has only won one of her five starts, but was sent off much shorter in the betting than Ennistymon last time out when third to Frankly Darling in the Ribblesdale.
She was the pick of Ryan Moore that day and kept on nicely to be beaten just over four lengths without ever threatening to land a telling blow.
However, connections clearly thought that Passion had a better chance than the runner-up going into that contest. She must have been showing plenty at home, then.
A stronger run race may also well see her in a better light and Passion is more experienced than the majority of her seven rivals.
That could well stand her in good stead on this undulating track. At 18/1 with BetVictor, Passion thus looks a lively outsider who could sneak into the frame at least.
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