A Safe Bet
“A Heist with a Heart”

co-written by
David Gilliam & David Reynolds

Synopsis
We all want money which we aspire to accumulate – we like gambling – to strike it rich at racetracks – to get that big win for ourselves. Others want to give back to deserving causes – to right an injustice, to absolve a pain and release those who suffer.
Should a smart, bright and persuasive young thing decide to turn her mind to such an enterprise; wouldn’t it be great to see her pull it off and relocate all the gambling money, the excess money in people’s pockets and give it to those people whose pain is immeasurable, whose pain could be resolved with the simple answer as to where a child’s body lies? Isn’t that story worth telling?
 

The co-writers of A SAFE BET Dave Reynolds & David Gilliam met horse trainer Richard Phillips at his stables in Adlestrop for discussions on background material and location filming.
www.richardphillipsracing.com






The meeting proved very successful in inspiring the story development and Richard showed us around his stables where he trains over 50 horses.







We plan to spend an early morning at the stables to watch how the horses are prepared for galloping over the beautiful Cotswold hills surrounding Adlestrop village, and see his horses run at both Fontwell and Cheltenham.







Further location visits are being planned for Sharpness Docks, Gloucestershire Airport and other locations in The Cotswolds.







Our story is based upon real events in Belfast, and Cheltenham racecourse, but all the characters and places named will be ficticious.







Our main theme is a Heist/Revenge Thriller with many sub-plots and twists to include stealing the Tote cash??







Film producer/director Danny Boyle is interested in reading a final version of the screenplay, and Chris Ellison (Burnside from The Bill) has shown an interest in our project.






Parts are being written with the likes of Danny Dyer, Charles Dance, Brian Cox, Phil Davis and Angelina Jolie in mind.








Location Shots...


David Gilliam (DG) outlines the plot to Edward Gillespie (EG), Director of Cheltenham Racecourse, “Well it’s like this; we need to steal the Tote cash from the armoured van – has this been done before?” “Not so far”, replies worried EG.













EG to DG – “Well they start down there, go round and over the hurdles and hopefully head up here towards the winners post”.















Winner’s Post, a long climb up the slope for tired horses.
















Wonderful view of the Racecourse from the Grandstand Observatory.
















DG views the Parade Ring area.

















The Racecourse Stands as viewed from Prestbury.

















A bookie in action on a cold December meeting.

















Punters in front of the Grandstand.

















The Winner’s Enclosure.




















































Sharpness Docks ...

Overview of huge dock basin – the swing-bridge in the foreground let’s ships gain access to Sharpness Canal enroute to Gloucester.












The Dockside Quay, Cranes and Old Warehouses; A great place for the Gang’s HQ and to hide their getaway vehicles.















Imagine the gang’s luxury speed cruiser ready to escape where the barge is!












All photos copyright Flat Broke Films

Trainer Richard Phillips and co-writer David Gilliam