Explode

The pattern is clear once you look closely. Explode thrives on dry, fast ground: he has won 2 of his 4 races on these surfaces, a 50 per cent win rate that stands out against his overall 27 per cent record. He also prefers a longer trip, winning 2 of his 4 races over distances between 1m6f and 2m. Put him on quick ground over that kind of yardage, and he becomes a different prospect. At the tougher Class 4 level he typically faces, his win rate drops to just 1 win from 5 races, which tells you he is working near the ceiling of his ability — but there is no shame in that. He is competitive enough, and when conditions favour him, he delivers.

His debut win came at Salisbury in late August last year, and he has been racing regularly ever since. The recent sequence of 8-1-1-15-1-9 (reading his last six races in order from oldest to newest) shows he bounces between wins and places without the long gaps you sometimes see with struggling horses. He is a genuine racehorse earning his keep, and with Bramley's yard performing well this season — 17 winners already — Explode looks set to pick up more opportunities on the kind of ground and over the kind of distance that bring out his best. Watch for his name when the forecast is dry.