Equinties - flower rankings

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Christmas is that time of year where you can have a beer anytime of day and absolutely no-one bats an eyelid. I mean, since Boxing Day I’ve literally had ‘left-over’ cold meats, Christmas chutneys and a cheese board for breakfast… every day. Washed down with Guinness too.

In that foggy haze of Crimbo-Limbo where every day feels like a Saturday, it’s easy to forget about anything else other than … well grossly hedonistic gluttony and as an accidental consequence, I actually miss most of the high class racing. 

So, if you’re anything like me and just enjoyed life instead of worrying about what order the furry animals and tiny humans came in at, we’ve decided to dedicate this newsletter to the best performances over the Christmas period. Just in case you missed them. 

A bit like Rodway’s ‘power rankings’, it’s just our view but not as controversial. In fact, rip the name off and call it the BGP Flower Rankings - the blossoming performances of potential future stars. Yep, I like it. 

Disclaimer: We do have some ground rules – these are mainly going to consist of the big race days and although there were some nice handicap runs, FUGITIF was one, we are going to highlight the top 5 performances of horses I wouldn’t bother going against next time out. 

ps, we have left CONSTITUTION HILL’s Christmas Hurdle out of the list as anyone possessed with the gift of sight could see he is just a monster. 

Notable Admissions: 

JAMES DU BERLAIS’ maiden win over fences yesterday looked very smart for a horse who has been off the track for more than 600 days – he has good form in the book and if he is fitter for his next run, he could look sharper. 

The way JUPITER DU GITE just sprinted clear at Newbury to comfortably beat JET POWERED has to be noted and appreciated – he was massive odds and a big shock, but the way he did it was very good. 

He’s still unbeaten and was brilliant again, but FACILE VEGA has missed the list. There was just something that didn’t quite create the fizz. The comments about him being better when he gets a lead are probably true, but it hasn’t sold us enough, unfortunately. 

HERMES ALLEN looked a monster in the Challow but given the opposition were all so unexposed, it’s up in the air as to what he actually beat. I personally think he’s a proper horse. 

BGP’s Top 5 Flower Rankings 

5) GOOD LAND – Dec 29th, 12:35 Leopardstown 

Starting off the list with a non-Grade 1 victory, GOOD LAND ‘landed’ the spoils on his third start over hurdles in the 2m4f maiden hurdle on soft ground. 

The £28,000 purchase made all of the medium distance under Michael O’Sullivan and looked very smart to beat the useful TAG MAN for Henry de Bromhead, SEARCH FOR GLORY, EMBASSY GARDENS, and MADMANSGAME. 

He took a step at a couple of hurdles but was generally quite neat and his impressive turn of foot around the home turn was very easy on the eye. 

The seven-year-old powered through the line and is a general 20/1 poke for both the Albert Bartlett and Ballymore – Barry Connell could have another nice one on his hands. 

4) BRAVEMANSGAME – Dec 26th, 2:30 Kempton 

BGP is BMG. BMG is BGP. 

We couldn’t make a list like this without mentioning the titanic performance from BRAVEMANSGAME in this season’s renewal of the King George at Kempton – it was stunning. 

The now eight-year-old was forced to travel very wide throughout the duration of his trip and had to deal with L’HOMME PRESSE’s outwards jumping that was intervening with him, however, that couldn’t stop the beast as he romped home.  

Arguments could be said that this should be higher, but the slight disappointment of L’HOMME PRESSE and the lack of anything else getting into the race has had a factor. 

But still, he was very good, and bookmakers have him at 8/1 for the Gold Cup in March, the confirmed next run of BMG by his trainer Paul Nicholls.  

Roll on March! 

3) LOSSIEMOUTH – Dec 26th, 1:10 Leopardstown 

Our short trip to the UK for our favourite performances is over and we now return to Ireland as we want to have LOSSIEMOUTH third on our list. 

For a juvenile filly on her second start in the country in a fairly competitive Grade 2, you couldn’t be more impressed by this. 

We had glimpses of her potential ability in her run at Fairyhouse and they firmly came to the fore at Leopardstown on Boxing Day as she was electric to sweep aside GALA MARCEAU by seven lengths under Paul Townsend. 

Her speed off the bend to put multiple lengths between her and the second and her slick jumping, bar a couple of tight ones, were really impressive for a youngster - the third, NUSRET, was a good flat horse and both the runner-up and the fourth were very good over in France before coming over, so it looks like the form is there.  

She looks to have a very exciting future and it will take a good one to beat her in the Triumph. 

2) DYSART DYNAMO – Dec 27th, 12:35 Leopardstown 

A beginners chase? When Blue Lord bolted up on the same day? Are you mad? 

Well, no, DYSART DYNAMO showed a lot of people on Tuesday that he is a serious threat to JONBON in this year’s Arkle and on that performance, he is probably Willie Mullins’ leading fancy for the race. 

In a world where APPRECIATE IT, FLAME BEARER, and EL FABIOLO can all step up in trip or stay at the minimum of two miles, it looks like there’s only one place to go for this seven-year-old son of Westerner. 

His performance to beat IRASCIBLE, a nifty horse for Gigginstown, was faultless throughout despite his loopy tendencies – jumping was slick, settled well, and travelled with ease. 

There was a lot to like about this run and 6/1 about him when JONBON is as short as 6/4 in places looks appetising. 

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1) CONFLATED – Dec 28th, 2:20 Leopardstown 

Back to the scene of his Irish Gold Cup smash and grab, CONFLATED made no mistake in landing the Grade 1 Savills Chase in wonderful style on Wednesday and he firmly projected himself into the Gold Cup picture. 

This was good. He’s 9, the oldest horse in this list but my god he’s on the up. 

He never looked in doubt under Jack Kennedy and he had some nice horses in KEMBOY, FURY ROAD, and GALVIN, all scrambling behind him while he was travelling like a good thing around the home turn. 

There can be no stones thrown at his jumping and he galloped through the line under a relatively calm Kennedy. 

CONFLATED looked to be the runner-up in the Ryanair last year if not for falling and he gave CLAN DES OBEAUX a great race in the Betway Bowl in April – could this year be the year for Gordon and Gigginstown? 

He’s 10/1 for the blue ribboned event in March with A PLUS TARD, GALOPIN DES CHAMPS, and a few others ahead of him in the market. 

Only time will tell to see what he can succeed. 

Risk on

13.00 MASTER CHEWY

I’m sure he’s the best in this race and can’t believe he didn’t win lto. Lev for another bet.

Another bet will be posted on Twitter.