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.
Park Hill Stakes betting tips – Prescott filly fancied
Alpinista ran a blinder when runner-up last time out, so now dropped in class looks a worthy favourite to go one better and land the spoils in the 1m 6f Group 2 Park Hill Stakes on day two of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster this Thursday (15:15).
This Sir Mark Prescott trained three-year-old filly has shown progressive form in each of her three outings this season.
After finishing a promising fourth on return to action in a Listed contest in France, the daughter of Frankel made all and stayed on strongly to land a similar grade affair over 1m 2f at Salisbury when easily beating Award Scheme by 3 1/4 lengths.
That taking success saw Alpinista pitched into Group 1 company. She outran her odds of 33/1 when chasing home Love in the Yorkshire Oaks.
After being held-up at the rear in the early stages, Alpinista made good headway three from home before staying on strongly to be nearest at the finish and beaten five lengths.
Although no match for the easy dual Classic winner, she pulled two lengths clear of the third home, One Voice, who had previously been beaten just a neck in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
It was a huge run from Alpinista. Judged on the way she finished off that race, the extra two furlongs of the Park Hill Stakes look sure to suit and may well unlock further improvement.
That display also earned Alpinista an official rating of 113. That is the highest in the line-up, giving her 6lb and upwards in hand on her seven rivals.
So now eased in grade, it makes Alpinista very much the on to beat. Best odds of 2/1 with Wlliam Hill are a true reflection of her chances.
Monica Sheriff feared most in Park Hill Stakes
Believe In Love is a filly on a serious upward curve who looks sure to make a bold bid to land the five-timer despite being stepped up in grade.
However, Monica Sherriff rates the main danger following an eye-catching run on seasonal reappearance. Trained by William Haggas, this four-year-old filly won all four of her starts last year and showed improved form in each.
After bolting up by 20 lengths in a class 2 handicap at Goodwood on the third of those she took the step up into Group 3 company in her stride to land the Prix Belle de Nuit at Saint-Cloud in France by 1 3/4 lengths.
Monica Sheriff was then on the sidelines for 301 days before running a huge race to finish fourth of 21 to Fujaira Prince in the Ebor Handicap at York last month.
An unfavourable high draw in stall 21 left jockey Danny Tudhope with no option other than to drop her in at the rear of the field.
Monica Sheriff then made rapid headway a furlong from home and ran on strongly. She was gaining all the way to the line and be beaten just over four lengths.
It was a fantastic run, given how the race panned out and one which suggested she was well worth a crack at this level.
Monica Sheriff is also entitled to come on a bundle for it, so looks well worth considering at odds of 6/1 with bet365.
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May Hill Stakes betting tips – Indigo Girl appeals most
Following a hugely impressive success on debut, Indigo Girl is fancied to take the step up into Group 2 company in her stride and provide trainer John Gosden with a fourth success in the 1m May Hill Stakes for juvenile fillies (14:10).
That came at Yarmouth where the beautifully bred daughter of Dubawi overcame a slow start and showed a smart turn of foot to shoot clear and beat Final Thought by three lengths.
The runner-up is a well-regraded sort who had previously shaped with plenty of promise when fourth at Beverley to an exciting prospect in the shape of Pythagorus.
That one has since bolted up by 8 1/2 lengths in a nursery in the manner of a well-above average sort. It gives the form a fairly decent look.
Having shown distinct signs of greenness in the early part of the race until the penny finally dropped, Indigo Girl looks sure to come on a bundle for it.
It earned her an initial quote of 33/1 for next year’s Epsom Oaks. Indigo Girl also holds an entry in next month’s Group 1 Fillies Mile at Newmarket, so is clearly held in high regard.
Hence, at 4/1 with Betfred, she is taken to land this under Frankie Dettori before going on to even better things.
Star Of Emaraaty sets the May Hill Stakes standard
Given that she is the highest rated in the nine-runner line-up and the only one with a win at Group level, Star Of Emaraaty could well be overpriced and represent a bit of each-way value.
This Kevin Ryan trained daughter of Pride Of Dubai came good at the third time of asking when staying on strongly to score by a neck at Ayr.
She was then far from disgraced when a keeping on 6 3/4 lengths fourth of seven to Fev Rover, a winner since at Group 2 level, in a Listed 7f contest at Sandown.
Star Of Emaraaty then sprang a 66/1 shock last time out when swooping late to land the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket by just over a length from Dubai Fountain.
There appeared to be no excuses for the re-opposing runner-up. The way in which Star Of Emaraaty hit the line hard suggests the extra furlong of this should be right up her street.
Withe five runs under her belt, she is also the most experienced in the field. tTat could turn out to be a plus if it comes down to a battle at the business end.
Odds of 10/1 with bet365, could well be a bit of an insult if her win in the Sweet Solera is taken at face value. It didn’t look like a fluke success, and that’s why Star Of Emaraaty had to feature as the each-way selection here.
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