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.
Richmond Stakes betting tips – Haggas colt can gain deserved Group 2 success
Yazaman finished in front of Qaader last time out, so can confirm the form and bag a deserved big race success in the 6f Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood on Thursday (14:15).
That came in this grade at Newmarket three weeks ago where the William Haggas trained son of Kodiac led entering the final furlong before staying on when headed to be beaten just over a length by Tactical.
He had Mark Johnston’s Qaader just over three lengths behind in fourth. There is no reason why he should not come out on top once again, as that re-opposing rival had every chance having led until the furlong pole.
Prior to that, Yazaman had scored in good style on debut at Yarmouth under regular pilot Tom Marquand before looking an unlucky loser when again runner-up to Tactical in the Listed 5f Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot.
After racing well off the pace in the 18-runner line-up, Yazaman was coming with a strong challenge when encountering trouble in-running at the furlong marker which stopped him in his tracks.
He had to be gathered up by Marquand and switch right to get a gap but, when seeing daylight, powered home to go down by just over a length.
Yazaman was gaining hand over fist at the line and, given how the race panned out, he ran a screamer. The Richmond Stakes trip looks ideal and he is clearly going the right way.
Another plus is that Yazaman hails from a stable operating at a strike rate of 23 per cent in the last 14 days at the time of writing.
With Marquand again in the saddle his chances look crystal clear. Hence, at 5/2 with William Hill, Yazaman looks a worthy favourite to land the spoils.
Supremacy capable of outrunning odds in Richmond Stakes
Lambourn handler Clive Cox won the race 12 months ago with subsequent Group 1 winner Golden Horde and saddles another interesting contender this time around in the shape of Supremacy.
This son of top juvenile Mehmas shaped with promise on debut at Windsor when showing good early speed before weakening late on to finish a seven length sixth of 11 to the highly regarded Twaasol.
Supremacy was not given a hard time and then showed the benefit of that introduction when winning in fine style over 6f at the same venue at the beginning of this month.
He looked far more streetwise and, after being quick away, made all and stayed on strongly from the furlong marker to easily beat Fools Rush In by just under four lengths.
It was a taking performance and the runner-up has won since. The third home Collingwood also ran well next time up when second at Ascot, so that gives the form a decent look.
This obviously represents a big step up in class for Supremacy, but he looks a useful prospect who undoubtedly has more to offer.
At 13/2 with BetVictor, then, he could well be a bit of value and looks well worth considering each-way despite only seven runners lining up in the Richmond Stakes.
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Gordon Stakes Betting Tips – English King taken to reign supreme
English King wasn’t seen to best effect last time out in the Epsom Derby, but is a strong fancy to bounce back and win the 1m 4f Group 3 Gordon Stakes (14:45).
The Ed Walker trained three-year-old was given far too much to do and got a troubled passage in that Classic contest, before staying on late to finish a never nearer 6 1/4 length fifth of 16 to the enterprisingly ridden Serpentine.
He didn’t get a chance to land a blow or show how good he was at any stage in a race where the winner was allowed too much rope up front and never looked like getting caught.
Prior to that, the son of Camelot had put in a stunning display on seasonal reappearance when landing a Listed contest at Lingfield by 2 3/4 lengths from Berkshire Rocco.
English King tanked along throughout in the hands of Tom Marquand and, after taking up the running on the bridle two from how, showed a devastating foot when asked to put the race to bed entering the final furlong.
It was a performance which oozed class and the runner-up has since finished runner-up to subsequent Irish Derby winner Santiago in a Group 2 at Royal Ascot to give the form a rock solid look.
English King is also the top-rated in this six-runner line-up, so this represents a good opportunity for him to show his true colours and record a third career success.
He looks a worthy 15/8 favourite with Betway to do just that before having another crack at the highest level.
Mogul feared most in Gordon Stakes
Given that he finished just three-quarters of a length behind English King when sixth in the Epsom Derby, and is the sole representative for Ballydoyle maestro Aidan O’Brien, Mogul commands the utmost respect and rates the main danger to the selection.
He was another given a poor tactical ride that day and finished off well under Ryan Moore to be beaten seven lengths by his stable companion Serpentine.
Prior to that, Mogul had looked very ring rusty on return to action when a tenderly handled fourth of six to Pyldriver in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes.
The son of Galileo should now be fully tuned to do himself justice. It’s worth noting that he was a top class juvenile when winning twice and finishing third to subsequent 2000 Guineas winner Kameko in a Group 1 at Newcastle.
Indeed, he was considered by many to be the pick of the O’Brien juveniles as regards to middle-distance contests as a three-year-old and was for a long time ante post favourite for The Derby.
Mogul is clearly held in high regard, so it is far too early to write him off given his powerful connections.
Ryan Moore will also surely be more tactically aware and ride him more positively in this much smaller field than at Epsom. A big run looks assured.
Mogul can be backed at 9/2 with Unibet to turn the gain his revenge on English King here.
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