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.
Middle Park Stakes betting tips – Minzaal a strong fancy
The 6f Group 1 Middle Park Stakes for colts is one of three cracking juvenile contests that take place on Cambridgeshire day at Newmarket this Saturday (15:00).
Having won his last two starts in the style of a top notch prospect, Minzaal is taken to take the step up into Group 1 company in his stride and go in again.
This Owen Burrows trained son of Mehmas was a huge eye-catcher on debut at Ascot when finishing a 1 3/4 lengths fourth of nine to Mohawk King.
After being slowly away, Minzaal ran very green at the rear of the field until making stealthy headway two from home.
He was the denied a clear run at the furlong marker, but when switched left to see daylight kept on under tender handling to be nearest at the finish
He then duly built on that next time up to open his account at Salisbury when landing a 10-runner novice contest by just under four lengths from Marlay Park in a fast time.
Impressive in Gimcrack
Minzaal cruised into contention on the bit two from home and then strode effortlessly clear under a motionless Jim Crowley to win with any amount in hand.
It was a stunning performance visually and one which marked Minzaal out as a hugely exciting prospect who needed keeping firmly onside.
That view was confirmed last time out when Minzaal landed the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York by two lengths from Devilwala – despite things not going to plan.
After fluffing the start and being slowly away, he showed plenty of gears to make up the lost ground. Minzaal then made smooth headway two from home to take up the running at the furlong marker and win comfortably.
Given how the race panned out, it was a performance which showed he had a huge engine and one which could be upgraded.
The Middle Park Stakes demands more, but Minzaal looks a hugely exciting sort who looks well up to landing races at this level. He can be backed at 11/4 with Betfred to complete the hat-trick.
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Royal Lodge Stakes betting tips – Cobh can collect for Cox
Cobh has some solid form to his name; so, at 5/2 with Betfair, looks the one to be on in the 1m Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes (13:50).
Trained by Clive Cox, this son of Kodi Bear showed a good attitude to make a winning debut at Haydock when finding plenty for pressure to get up close home and beat Shibiz by a neck.
That taking success saw connections pitch Cobh straight into Listed company and he ran a cracker in defeat when runner-up to Chindit in the Pat Eddery Stakes over 7f at Ascot.
After being ridden to take the running two from home, Cobh couldn’t match the pace of the winner when headed inside the last but stuck to the task well to go down by 1 3/4 lengths.
Chindt is a hugely exciting prospect who has gone on to land the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster in impressive fashion and now unbeaten in three starts.
Naval Crown, who finished a further 1 1/2 lengths behind in third, has also gone on to taste success before finishing a close-up third in a Group 3 in France to give the form a very strong look.
Cobh has since resumed winning ways in a Listed contest over the 1m trip of this at Salisbury when travelling powerfully before only having to be pushed out to account for Fancy Man, a winner next time up in Listed company, by a cosy half-length.
He is clearly an above-average sort who is going the right way and this doesn’t look the strongest renewals of the Royal Lodge Stakes. Hence, at the odds on offer, Cobh makes plenty of appeal here.
Cheveley Park Stakes betting tips – Sacred has a big each-way shout
In the 6f Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes for fillies (14:25), Sacred looks the value bet now fitted with cheekpieces for the first time.
This William Haggas trained daughter of Exceed And Excel created when making a winning debut in a 12-runner maiden over 6f at Newmarket back in June when denied a clear run before quickening between rivals to win going away by just under two lengths from Sardinia Sunset.
It was a most taking display and the runner-up has gone on to land a Listed contest. The sixth home Happy Romance – who re-opposes here – has also won three valuable prizes since, including a Group 3 at Salisbury last time out.
That gives the form a solid look. Sacred then ran a cracker 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 then seemed to lose concentration and couldn’t find any extra close home
Sacred then ran very well when stepped up to the 6f a trip of this and beaten just a length when second of 14 to Miss Amulet in the Lowther Stakes at York, before being beat just a short-head by Ubettabelievit last time out in a Group 2 at Doncaster.
On both those occasions, Sacred appeared sure to win until not going through with her effort in the closing stages. It therefore looks a good move by connections to fit her with headgear.
If it does enable Sacred to focus on the job in hand then she looks a massive player in this. Hence, at 11/2 with Bet365, she appeals as a solid each-way betting proposition.
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