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.
Peter Chapple-Hyam’s charge value in hot handicap
Deja ran a stormer when runner-up on seasonal reappearance, so with underfoot conditions in his favour looks decent value to go one better and land the spoils in the Old Newton Cup over an extended 1m 3f at Haydock on Sunday (15:15).
This Peter Chapple-Hyam trained five-year-old is lightly-raced for his age, but has a fine strike rate of 57 per cent having won four of his seven starts.
He was very impressive in the last of those 12 months ago at Kempton when forging clear to easily beat Soto Sizzler by 3 1/2 lengths off a mark of 93.
Deja got put up to 100 for that, but was far from disgraced next time up at Newcastle when beaten just two lengths into fifth behind Francis Xavier.
The son of Youmzain was then on the sidelines for 211 days, before finding only Scarlet Dragon too good in the ultra-competitive 14-runner Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot just over two weeks ago,
After being slowly away, Deja quickly made up the lost ground to race sweetly on the heels of the leaders. He then looked all over the winner turning for home before, being unable to find any extra deep inside the last to be beaten just half-a-length.
It was a huge run after a lengthy absence. Deja now meets the winner on 2lb better terms, so that should be enough to see him gain revenge.
Soft ground also holds no fears for Deja and the stable has had a welcome couple of winners recently. At 8/1 with BetVictor, he thus looks the one to be on in this historic handicap now partnered by Harry Bentley for the first time.
Open Account Offer
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
In a race where a case can be made for most of the 19-runner field, Ranch Hand looks sure to go well if building on his promising reappearance run.
Trained by Andrew Balding, this Kingsclere Racing Club owned four-year-old has won three of his seven starts and was last successful at this venue over 1m 6f last August on soft ground when running on strongly to beat Trueshan by two lengths.
He had the re-opposing Laafy a further 3 1/4 lengths behind in sixth and now meets Sir Michael Stoute’s charge off 4lb better terms, so there is no reason why he should not confirm the placings with that rival.
Ranch Hand then failed to shine when sent off a well-backed 11/2 favourite for the Cesarewitch at Newmarket, but appeared not to get home over the marathon 2m 2f trip. That run can easily be excused.
There was lots to like about Ranch Hand’s return to action at Royal Ascot last month when a not knocked about seven-length sixth of 16 to the very promising Fujaira Prince in the Copper Horse handicap over 1m 6f.
The sun of Dunaden shaped as if needing the run, so it should have blown away the cobwebs and put him spot on for this.
Ranch Hand has an air of unfinished business about him, proven winning form over the trip, and no problems with testing ground.
The stable also continues to be among the winners and does well with it’s runners at the Merseyside venue. At the 7/1 on offer with 888sport, then, Ranch Hand looks well worth considering in a typically fierce and wide-open renewal of the Old Newton Cup.
Indianapolis an each-way player in Old Newton Cup
Of those at double figure odds, Indianapolis makes most appeal from an each-way betting perspective at the 14/1 with Betfair who pay five places.
This James Given trained five-year-old ran very well in this contest 12 months ago when staying on well from off the pace to be nearest at the finish and a 3 3/4 lengths fourth of 17 to Kelly’s Dino off a mark of 95.
Indianapolis then showed a good attitude next time up when digging deep to land a competitive class 3 by half-a-length off the same rating.
The son of Galileo was the far from disgraced when eight of 16 to Tamreer inna decent class 2 at York, before rounding off the campaign with a 1 3/4 lengths success over Spanish Archer on heavy ground at Leicester off a rating of 97.
Indianapolis has had just two starts this season. He shaped better than the 7 3/4 lengths he was beaten in the last of those when fifth of 14 to Scarlet Dragon in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot off his current mark of 99.
He held every chance two from home before fading inside the last and was not given a hard time once it was clear he would not be winning.
It was an effort which suggested Indianapolis was building up to a big performance and he now meets the runner-up Deja on 5lb better terms.
That means that there should be little between the pair, yet Indianapolis can be backed at almost double the odds of that rival. It makes him look overpriced and he is thus each-way value for the Old Newton Cup.
Open Account Offer
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
New reg only. Claim by placing a min deposit £10 via ‘My Offers’ page within 30 days. 7 days to stake max £10 in-play, min odds 1/1 (2.0). Max. extra winnings £100. Once claimed, 30-day expiry. Cashed out, System & EW bets do not qualify. Other Promotional Play Restrictions Apply. T&Cs apply.
18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 on any football market at minimum 1/1 odds. No cash out. Get £40 in Free Bets on selected events. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Debit card/Apple Pay payments only. T&Cs apply, see below.gambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly
Open Account Offer
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
