Explosive Boy

Explosive Boy ran another encouraging race in finishing sixth behind Breezy Bell in the two-mile handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse on Saturday.

It was a race in which the pace held up well, Breezy Bell and Ever So Cool went on in front and they set up a significant gap between themselves and the rest of the field from early. Explosive Boy was held up early on, slightly worse than mid-division, and he travelled well through his race for Bryan Cooper, but he made a mistake at the fourth last flight, just as his rider wanted to get closer to the breakaway leaders. He came under pressure on the outside at that point, but he made good ground around the outside to move into a share of third place as they straightened up for the final two flights, about six lengths behind the two leaders before he tired from. He tired from there though, he just kept on from the second last flight to finish sixth behind the impressive winner Breezy Bell.

Off the track for over two years after he fell on his racecourse debut in March 2019, Tony Martin’s horse finished third behind current Albert Bartlett Hurdle favourite Blazing Khal, and subsequent dual winner Gringo D’Aubrelle, in a maiden hurdle at Galway in October on his return, and he ran well for a long way in the maiden hurdle that Uhtred won at Naas in early November. By No Risk At All, the sire of Allaho and Epatante, and out of a mare who won over two miles and five furlongs, it may be that he will improve for stepping up in trip and, still a maiden, he has the potential to go beyond his handicap mark of 109.
Fairyhouse, 11^th December 2021