Explain was due to go up 2lb for finishing a good second at Ayr the previous week and with Jimmy on duty at Doncaster and Newcastle we took advantage of Lewis Edmund’s useful looking 5lb claim.  He grabbed a nice position early and surged clear when a gap came on the rail.  A minor tack malfunction with a cheek peice coming loose and detatched didn’t stop a five length victory on rain softened ground.

Chester look after the owners very well.  Each horse gets £500 appearance money, the owners a top notch 4 course meal and the trainers prize is very welcome!

“Despite this being a strongly-run affair it paid to race in the first half dozen and nothing got into it from behind.  EXPLAIN was back up in trip, and though he had never shone at 7f before, he proved well suited by the extra furlong and came right away in the closing stages. He was racing off 4lb below his peak rating of 84 so won’t find it easy once re-assessed. However, he will be interesting if going to Thirsk on Wednesday with a penalty, but that is over 6f.”

Racing Post, 2017