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.
Charlton charge weighted to strike under Moore
Now stepped back up in trip, Blue Mist looks the one to be on in the 7f Moet & Chandon International Stakes on King George day at Ascot on Saturday (14:25).
This Roger Charlton trained five-year-old, who carries the famous green and pink colours of leading owner Prince Khalid Abdullah, has proven form at the track having won once and been placed one in four starts.
The success came over a mile back in October 2018 where the son of Makfi showed a smart turn of foot to easily beat Kitaabaat by 3 1/2 lengths off a mark of 88.
Blue Mist got out up to 97 for that victory, but ran a blinder off his revised rating first time up last season when running on strongly from off the pace to finish a never nearer three-length sixth of 26 to Cape Byron in the valuable Victoria Cup over this course and distance
He also ran very well two starts later when beaten just under three lengths into third behind Raising Sand in this contest off 96.
Blue Mist is able to race in this year’s renewal off 1lb lower having shaped really well in twi starts this season.
Eye-catcher in Silver Wokingham
In the first of those over 7f at Newbury, he threw down a strong challenge inside the final furlong before going down by just over a length to Breath Of Air.
Blue Mist was then dropped back down to 6f and nothing went to plan in the Silver Wokingham over 6f at the Royal meeting here last month when ninth of 19 to Chiefofchiefs.
After blowing the start completely, Blue Mist was constantly denied a clear run when trying to make a move under Jason Watson. He then stayed on under tender handling to be beaten just under five lengths.
Blue Mist finished full of running and in the circumstances did well to finish so close, given how the race panned out.
He is now able to race off 1lb lower and the step back up to 7f is an obvious plus. Blue Mist is also now reunited with Ryan Moore who rode him to his last success.
So, taking everything into account, there is simply nothing not to like about his profile. Blue Mist looks a worthy favourite in this Heritage Handicap and can notch a third career success.
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In a race where a case can be made for plenty, Ebury is feared most following a fine effort in defeat last time out.
That came over this course and distance in the Buckingham Palace Handicap at the Royal meeting when sixth of 23 to Motakhayyel off a mark of 96 from a poor draw.
After tracking the leaders on the unfavoured far side, the Martyn Meade trained four-year-old kept on nicely to be beaten just over five lengths without ever threatening to land a blow.
It was a huge effort, given that those drawn high dominated the finish, and one which suggested there was a big pot to be won with Ebury.
The assessor has been kind in leaving the son of Iffraaj on an unchanged mark, as it was a run which could be upgraded given the circumstances.
That was also his second start this season, so Ebury should now be fully tuned to do himself justice at a track where he was successful on his previous visit over a mile when bearing Tulfarris by three-quarters of a length last September.
The booking of Oisin Murphy to partner Ebury for just the second time also catches the eye as he has a strike rate of just over 20 per cent when teaming up with the yard in the past 12 months.
It suggests that connections mean business in the International Stakes. Meade is more than adept at laying one out to land a big race of this nature.
Ebury also has proven winning form on the forecast ground and appeals as the type who has more to offer. He thus rates the main danger to Blue Mist.
Cliffs Of Capri the each-way angle in International Stakes
Given his excellent course form, and the fact that he finished in front of Ebury last time out, the Jamie Osbourne trained Cliffs Of Capri makes plenty of each-way appeal.
This six-year-old has won twice and been placed once in five starts over course and distance. He also ran well when a close up fifth of 20 to Ripp Orf here in the 2018 Cunard Handicap.
Cliffs Of Capri has had five starts this year and looked as good as ever in the third of those at Meydan when landing a competitive class 2 handicap by a head.
He also ran well following a break at Newmarket when a length runner-up to Jacks Point and backed that up with a cracking fourth to Motakhayyel in the aforementioned Buckingham Palace Handicap.
Cliffs Of Capri raced in touch travelling well on the stands’ side under Dougie Costello and, after being switched to get a clear run, finished off well to go down by just 2 3/4 lengths.
He finished 2 1/2 lengths in front of Ebury and now meets that rival on just a pound worse terms. That gives him every chance at the weights of confirming the form, then.
Cliffs Of Capri is also versatile as regards ground, hails from a yard which has a good record with its runners in handicaps at the track, and once again has the services of Costello – who gets a good tune out of him – in the saddle.
Everything looks in place for a big run at a venue which clearly plays to his strengths. With some bookies paying extra places on the International Stakes, Cliffs Of Capri therefore had to feature as the each-way option.
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