The Gay Dog

Jim pretends Raving Beauty is ill to manipulate the betting odds in his favour. By spreading rumours that his winning dog is sick, he creates uncertainty among bettors, which allows him and Peter to place bets at better starting prices before the truth comes out. This deception is designed to increase their payout when the dog actually performs well.

Jim and Peter run a two-part deception: first they spread rumours that Raving Beauty is ill to lower expectations, then they tell the town the dog is fit again just before race day. Meanwhile, they bet on Prince of Erin (the rival dog) at 7-1 odds while the town bets on Raving Beauty at 1-1. When Prince of Erin wins, Jim collects the higher payout from his inside knowledge.

Jim knows from Peter's research that Prince of Erin has superior bloodlines (tracing back to champion Mick the Miller) and strong form from Shelbourne Park. He deliberately bets on the rival dog because he believes Prince of Erin will win, allowing him to profit from the inflated odds created by his own deception.

Jim receives a bruised eye as a mild consequence of his deception. When the town realizes Jim and Peter knew all along that Prince of Erin would win, the locals are upset by being tricked. The bruised eye represents the only physical repercussion for their scheme, fitting the film's light and harmless tone.

Although Raving Beauty loses to Prince of Erin, Jim wins substantial money because he placed bets on Prince of Erin at the favourable 7-1 odds. His winnings are enough to hire a taxi home, donate to the vicar's charities, and repay four family members their stake money.

After the race, Peter leaves with Peggy Gowland, the vicar's daughter, signalling the end of his romantic pursuit. Earlier in the film, Peter had been pressing his suit on Jim's daughter Sally, but instead finds happiness with Peggy after learning about Prince of Erin's racing form.

The film includes a subplot where Jim's daughter Sally attends the Women's Institute to avoid Peter's advances. There she meets a final-year medical student giving a first-aid lecture. By the film's end, Sally and the vicar's son become engaged, adding a hopeful note of continuity to the community.

Peter digs into Prince of Erin's pedigree and racing form to gain insider knowledge for the betting scheme. He discovers the dog has solid form from Shelbourne Park and carries bloodlines linked to Mick the Miller, one of the greatest greyhounds ever. This research confirms Prince of Erin is the stronger competitor.

The local townspeople bet on Raving Beauty at 1-1 odds because they believe Jim's earlier claims that the dog is ill were true, making them think the dog might underperform. Jim and Peter's later claim that the dog is fit again comes too late to change their minds, leaving them betting on the wrong dog.

At the film's conclusion, Jim and his wife Maggie head to Blackpool (a popular British seaside resort) in a new motor car. Jim rides in the back seat alongside Raving Beauty, symbolising their financial success and a fresh start after the racing drama.