Two days down at Cheltenham and only two second places to show for ourselves. But the eternal optimism of the bad gambler cannot be quenched. After serious consultation last night, our bad tipsters are certain they have cracked the secret logic of today’s racing. There is always a hidden theme, and today it’s Hollywood. Read it and weep.
1.30 Jewson’s Novice Hurdle
Working Title (40/1)
A nearly Hollywood-free race. Working Title, though, is the name of one of the most successful production companies in the business. These are the people that brought the world The Big Lebowski and Shaun of the Dead, among others. A nice each way bet.
2.05 Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle
Fredo (16/1)
Smoking Aces is the title of a forgettable Vegas flick starring Ray Liotta and Ryan Phillippe. It may have better odds of coming through today, but we’re much more excited about the possibility of backing a horse named after the dimwit Corleone brother Fredo from The Godfather. Today could be Fredo’s chance to redeem his name to Don Vito, Michael and Sonny.
Hopefully, we won' t be seeing scenes like this around 2.15 this afternoon.
2.40 RyanAir Chase
Barbers Shop (6/1)
There’s a few options here for the imaginative film buff. One hand you’ve got Schindler’s Hunt, which may have been a prequel to Schindler’s List. And if somebody ever bothered making a documentary about the band that gave the world Smoke on the Water, Deep Purple would be a goer. Instead, we’re going with Barbers Shop. Despite the spelling mishap, we know this horse has been named for the genius Ice Cube comedy.
3.20 Ladbrokes World Hurdle
Cousin Vinny (25/1)
Oscar Dan Dan might tempt the award driven punter, but there’s no escaping Cousin Vinny, which won the great Marissa Tomei an Oscar.
4.00 Byrne Group Plate Handicap
From Dawn Till Dusk (22/1)
A lot in this race for the Tarantino fan. Firstly there’s a horse that seems to be a misspelling of the Pulp Fiction auteur’s name, Tarotino. That’s fine, but we fancy From Dawn Till Dusk, which a dyslexic would recognize as the mid-90s film starring a young George Clooney and Tarantino in one of his worst acting roles.
There’s a lot of supporting Italian-Americans today, which we’re not completely comfortable with. Either way, ride on.
