The big race this weekend is the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, at Longchamps on Sunday. My tip for that is Joshua Tree, which is the name of an album by U2. A few years ago my wife backed this at Ascot and it came in at 16/1, so here's hoping for a repeat performance.
Speaking of Ascot, there is a plethora of horses with rock song names at Saturday's meeting, so here goes.
There's two in the first race at 1.30. Eton Rifles was a big hit for The Jam, and Medicean Man is a great track by 'proper' Whitesnake (when they were bluesy, before the hairspray years). Obviously, they spelt it properly.
In the 3.15 is a nod to the mighty Led Zeppelin and the grand sport of golf. Fairway to Heaven. Can you see what they've done there?
In the 3.50 we have blog favourite Arnold Lane, that wonderful Pink Floyd song from way back in the psychedelic sixties.
Finally, in the 4.25 is I'm so glad, which is the title of a song by Cream, again from the sixties.
Bon chance, as they say en Francais.
Friday, 4 October 2013
Friday, 20 September 2013
Where it all began....
When I started this blog, it was a lovely coincedence that one of the horses running on that first day was called Heavy Metal. You couldn't make it up. The horse ran quite well, but it was a great start to this silly indulgence of mine. Well, Heavy Metal is running again tomorrow in the 5.55 at Newmarket, so I've got to give him the nod.
Also running tomorrow in the 1.20 at Newbury is Baker Man. One of the greatest and most eccentric (and angry) drummers is Ginger Baker, famous for his time with Cream. Check out the brilliant film 'Beware of Mr Baker'.
Finally, in the 5.40 at Catterick is No Quarter, one of Led Zeppelin's best tracks. Wonderful stuff. Ta-ra
Also running tomorrow in the 1.20 at Newbury is Baker Man. One of the greatest and most eccentric (and angry) drummers is Ginger Baker, famous for his time with Cream. Check out the brilliant film 'Beware of Mr Baker'.
Finally, in the 5.40 at Catterick is No Quarter, one of Led Zeppelin's best tracks. Wonderful stuff. Ta-ra
Friday, 30 August 2013
This week... song titles
This week's selections all run at Beverley on Saturday, and they are all song titles (sort of).
First one runs in the 3.05. Hit the Lights is a Metallica song from their "Kill 'em all" album, and one which they often start their gigs with. Next up is Relight my fire, which runs in the 4.15. This sounds like a re-run of the epic Doors track, "Light my Fire". Finally, running in the 4.50, is Division Belle, the name of one of Pink Floyd's albums. The album title comes from the lyrics of the song "High hopes", and the story goes that the sci-fi author Douglas Adams, a friend of Floyd's David Gilmour, struck a deal whereby if he came up with an album title, then the band would let him play on stage with them. He read the lyrics, came up with "Division Bell" and promptly played guitar on one of their songs at a show. Brilliant.
First one runs in the 3.05. Hit the Lights is a Metallica song from their "Kill 'em all" album, and one which they often start their gigs with. Next up is Relight my fire, which runs in the 4.15. This sounds like a re-run of the epic Doors track, "Light my Fire". Finally, running in the 4.50, is Division Belle, the name of one of Pink Floyd's albums. The album title comes from the lyrics of the song "High hopes", and the story goes that the sci-fi author Douglas Adams, a friend of Floyd's David Gilmour, struck a deal whereby if he came up with an album title, then the band would let him play on stage with them. He read the lyrics, came up with "Division Bell" and promptly played guitar on one of their songs at a show. Brilliant.
Friday, 23 August 2013
Bank Holiday tips
This weekend's tips run at Goodwood on Saturday.
First up is Valen in the 2.20. I've picked this simply because it's an abbreviation of Van Halen. Excellent band with a rich history. Next one runs in the 2.55. Arnold Lane is the title of one of Pink Floyd's earliest singles, during their Syd Barrett psychadelic era, before they became mega mega. The song is about a bloke who's hobby was stealing clothes from washing lines! The title is spelt 'Layne', but who's nitpicking? Finally, in the 5.50 we have Rock God. Nuff said. All the best.
First up is Valen in the 2.20. I've picked this simply because it's an abbreviation of Van Halen. Excellent band with a rich history. Next one runs in the 2.55. Arnold Lane is the title of one of Pink Floyd's earliest singles, during their Syd Barrett psychadelic era, before they became mega mega. The song is about a bloke who's hobby was stealing clothes from washing lines! The title is spelt 'Layne', but who's nitpicking? Finally, in the 5.50 we have Rock God. Nuff said. All the best.
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
It's been such a long time...
As the song by Boston went. Well, there's been holidays and gigs and pubs and gigs and beer. Anyway, what prompted me back was that my mate is off to York for the meeting on Friday, so I thought I'd give him some rockin' tips! All of my choices are in the 3.40 - don't know if they'll all run though.
First up is Bungle in the Jungle, a great song by the wonderfully eccentric Jethro Tull, led by possibly the only flute-playing salmon farm-owning bearded scotsman in the world, Ian Anderson.
Next is Slade Power. If you've never heard a Slade song, then you're either deaf, or you have never been in the UK during Xmas for the last 40 years.
Finally, we have Spirit Quartz, which evokes memories of two bands from the 70s - Spirit, and, er, Quartz. Spirit were American and boasted the wonderfully named guitarist Randy California. Brummies Quartz used to be called Bandy Legs, but sensibly changed their name. My mate saw them once, and went into the record shop the next day and asked the women behind the counter 'Have you got Bandy Legs?'. Didn't go down well. Quartz released a great version of Mountain's Nantucket Sleighride, and their first album was produced by Mr Heavy Metal himself, Tony Iommi.
Best of luck!
First up is Bungle in the Jungle, a great song by the wonderfully eccentric Jethro Tull, led by possibly the only flute-playing salmon farm-owning bearded scotsman in the world, Ian Anderson.
Next is Slade Power. If you've never heard a Slade song, then you're either deaf, or you have never been in the UK during Xmas for the last 40 years.
Finally, we have Spirit Quartz, which evokes memories of two bands from the 70s - Spirit, and, er, Quartz. Spirit were American and boasted the wonderfully named guitarist Randy California. Brummies Quartz used to be called Bandy Legs, but sensibly changed their name. My mate saw them once, and went into the record shop the next day and asked the women behind the counter 'Have you got Bandy Legs?'. Didn't go down well. Quartz released a great version of Mountain's Nantucket Sleighride, and their first album was produced by Mr Heavy Metal himself, Tony Iommi.
Best of luck!
Friday, 12 April 2013
Crikey! I only picked the National winner
Auroras Encore won the Grand National at 66/1... and I tipped it!!! You could say that my rock & metal method of tipping now works - or you could say it was pure luck. I know which one I think!
OK, now to this week. My selections all run at Kempton Park on Saturday.
First up is in the 2.05, Alice's Dancer. This is in tribute to the wonderful Alice Cooper. You may not know (or believe) that Mr. Cooper has been happily married for over 30 years, and that his wife was originally one of his dancers. Nowadays, his dancer is his daughter! Keep it in the family.
Next is I'm So Glad, running in the 3.15. This is the title of a song by Cream, a superb band from the 60s comprising Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. A true supergroup.
Finally, in the 3.50, is Nazreef, a favourite of this blog, as it combines two fantastic groups spanning many years - Nazareth from the 70s, and Reef from the 90s.
Good luck to everyone!!
OK, now to this week. My selections all run at Kempton Park on Saturday.
First up is in the 2.05, Alice's Dancer. This is in tribute to the wonderful Alice Cooper. You may not know (or believe) that Mr. Cooper has been happily married for over 30 years, and that his wife was originally one of his dancers. Nowadays, his dancer is his daughter! Keep it in the family.
Next is I'm So Glad, running in the 3.15. This is the title of a song by Cream, a superb band from the 60s comprising Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. A true supergroup.
Finally, in the 3.50, is Nazreef, a favourite of this blog, as it combines two fantastic groups spanning many years - Nazareth from the 70s, and Reef from the 90s.
Good luck to everyone!!
Saturday, 6 April 2013
1 - 2 - 3 - 4
No, I'm not counting in a song, but pointing the way to this year's Grand National, where an each way finish in the top four could see the winnings come rolling in (some hope!). Here are my selections...
The Rainbow Hunter, simply because of the magestic band Rainbow, and the Free song "The Hunter".
Auroras Encore, because all good bands should come back for an encore!
Mr Moonshine, because it sounds a bit like the Supertramp song "Sister Moonshine".
And finally, Join Together, a song by The Who.
Best of luck to everyone.
The Rainbow Hunter, simply because of the magestic band Rainbow, and the Free song "The Hunter".
Auroras Encore, because all good bands should come back for an encore!
Mr Moonshine, because it sounds a bit like the Supertramp song "Sister Moonshine".
And finally, Join Together, a song by The Who.
Best of luck to everyone.
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