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.
More to come from progressive Tate colt
In the 1m Group 3 Superior Mile Stakes at Haydock on Saturday (13:45), Top Rank makes plenty of appeal at the odds on offer.
This James Tate trained Tate four-year-old is a progressive sort who looks well worth a crack at this level, judged on his fine effort in defeat last time out.
That came in the competitive class 2 Clipper Logistics Handicap at York where the Saeed Manana owned four-year-old colt finished a length third of 17 to Montatham.
Top Rank raced keenly in the early stages and was forced to race out wide from a poor draw in stall 13. He then made smooth headway two out and looked the likely winner until being unable to find any extra close home.
Given how the race panned out, it was a fine effort and one which could be upgraded. The form looks strong as the runner-up Sir Busker, from whom he was receiving just 4lb, has since finished a fine second in a Group 2 at Goodwood.
Ultra-impressive at Thirsk
Prior to that, Top Rank was unbeaten in four starts. In the third of those on handicap debut at Newmarket last September, he only had to be pushed out to score easily by 2 3/4 lengths off an opening mark of 83
The son of Dark Angel was then on the sidelines for 307 days before turning what looked a competitive class 3 handicap for the grade into a procession at Thirsk.
Top Rank travelled ominously well-throughout and, when eased into the lead a furlong from home by PJ McDonald, showed a smart turn of foot to shoot clear and slam Star Of Southwold by just over four lengths.
He made a total mockery of his handicap mark of 82 and his fine effort at York came having been raised a whopping 12lb in the weights.
Top Rank looks a pattern performer given the way he travelled into the contest at York, so looks value at 6/1 with Betfair to land his first start in that sphere.
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The William Haggas trainedMy Oberon is also a lightly-raced and progressive sort, so is feared most in a wide-open looking renewal of the Superior Mile.
After shaping with promise when a tenderly handled fifth on debut at Newmarket, this son of Dubawi opened his account in fine style at York when turning an eight-runner novice stakes contest into a procession.
My Oberon raced prominently through before quickening smartly at the furlong marker to easily beat Tassamuh, who won next time up, by six lengths.
That taking display saw him pitched into Group 3 company last time out. My Oberon ran a fine race in defeat when runner-up to Tislit in the Thoroughbred Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
He attempted to make all under Tom Marquand and still held every chance at the furlong marker until the winner hung badly right and nearly put him over the rail.
In the circumstances, My Overon did well to stay on his feet and be beaten just 1 1/2 lengths at the line.
He also finished 2 1/2 length in front of the third home Khaloosy, who escaped all the scrimmaging and found little when asked, so there is no reason why he should not confirm the form with that re-opposing rival.
My Oberon is clearly going the right way and there is undoubtedly better to come from him. He can be backed at 11/4 with William Hill to get back to resume winning ways here under regular pilot Marquand.
Stormy Antarctic sets the standard in Superior Mile
Given that he is the top rated in the eight-runner line-up and now drops down in grade, Stormy Antarctic is another with solid claims.
This Ed Walker trained seven-year-old is a classy sort who scored at this level in Germany last season when gamely beating Madita by a neck
He showed that he retained plenty of ability on seasonal reappearance when fourth of eight to Century dream in the Group 3 Diamond Stakes at Newbury, but then rah below par next time up in a Listed contest at Windsor when sent off favourite and finishing a well beaten fifth of seven to Pogo.
However, Stormy Antarctic was clearly not right that day and quickly put that run behind him last time out when a two-length runner-up to Persian King in the Group 1 Prix d’Ispahan at Chantilly.
He reversed the form with Pogo, who came third, and had subsequent Group 2 winner Century dream just under four lengths behind in fifth.
That gives the form a strong look in relation to the Superior Mile. An official rating of 114 gives Stormy Antarctic five pounds and upwards in hand on his rivals.
It commands him the utmost respect on ground which holds no fears, but the big worry is that he could prove vulnerable to a couple of younger and promising types in the shape of Top Rank and My Oberon.
Stormy Antarctic does, however, look sure to give it his best shot. It makes him the each-way option in the race at the 6/1 on offer with Betway.
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