Hollywood producer George Waud on Epsom Derby hope - 'Maltese Cross is an equine Samuel L. Jackson'

Hollywood producer and director George Waud has compared his Betfred Derby contender Maltese Cross to movie legend Samuel L. Jackson.

Waud worked with Jackson on his 2006 hit film ‘Snakes on a Plane’ and was impressed by his professionalism and preparedness, describing him as a “one-take wonder”.

And he believes his William Haggas-trained colt Maltese Cross – who has won three of his four starts including the Lingfield Derby Trial last month – has the same attributes ahead of his bid for Classic glory at Epsom on Saturday.

Waud, 59, said: “The thing I can say about Samuel L. Jackson is he was a one-take wonder. He always showed up prepared, he always nailed his line in one take and, so far, Maltese Cross has been a bit of a one-take wonder.

“He’s always sort of just done enough to do what he needs to do, but he’s improved with every race. I think, most significantly, he really impressed Tom Marquand at Lingfield, and in the work he’s done since then. But, look, it wouldn’t be the Derby if it wasn’t hard.”

Maltese Cross was drawn in stall one in Wednesday’s Derby draw and Waud added: “You can’t control the draw – it’s what you do with the draw that counts. So, over to Mr Marquand and Mr Haggas!

“We could probably have done without the rain and we could probably have done without the draw, but it’s just an absolute thrill and an honour to have a horse that’s good enough to take part in the Derby, so I don’t have any complaints.

“Maltese Cross is looking very well and Tom Marquand’s one-word review of his last gallop was ‘superb’.”

Asked if a Maltese Cross victory could inspire a new Hollywood blockbuster, Waud said: “I think unlikely, but all movies about horses I’ve always loved.

“I have seen a script for a Red Rum movie, which I thought was a great idea.”