Chepstow Preview: Peak Storm primed for huge run
Peak Storm has an excellent record at Chepstow and looks to hold leading claims of further enhancing it in the 1m handicap on this evening’s seven-race card (7.40).
The John O’Shea trained gelding has registered all four of his career success at the track, and slammed Raging Bear by five lengths in a claimer over 7f in the last of those.
The five-year-old raced off an official rating of 67 that day, and now gets into this class 5 handicap off just 3lb higher having shaped as if coming back to form last time out.
That run came over 7f, and Peak Storm stayed on strongly to finish a 1 3/4 length fourth to Bountybeamadam after allowing the first three home to get first run.
It was an effort which suggested that Peak Storm was coming to the boil nicely, and with the step back up to a mile looking sure to suit this represents a nice opportunity for the son of Sleeping Indian to get back to winning ways.
In the 6f handicap (6.40), Picc of Burgau can defy a 6lb penalty after landing a gamble in emphatic style over course and distance nine days ago.
The Geoffrey Deacon trained filly showed a good turn of foot to win cleverly by 1 1/4 lengths from Volcani Dust, having travelled supremely well throughout in the hands of an ultra-confident George Baker.
The daughter of Piccolo was value for much more than the winning margin, and it’s no surprise to see connections turn her out quickly before the handicapper has his say.
Dual course winner Ashkalara runs off a career-low mark in the 1m 2f handicap that closes proceedings (9.10), and looks decent value to take advantage and score an overdue success.
The seven-year-old has not scored since landing a mile contest at this venue back in August 2011, but that win came off 57 and the daughter of Footstepsinthesand now runs off just 49.
That gives the mare every chance at the weights, especially if she can build a promising effort last time out when beaten just 1/2 a length into third behind Sonnatation over a mile at Lingfield.
Ashkalara finished that contest off strongly, and the step up to 1m 2f this evening should suit.
Selections:
6.10: Guiding Light
6.40: Picc of Burgau (NB)
7.10: Field Force
7.40: Peak Storm (NAP)
8.10: Solar View
8.40: Ninepointsixthree
9.10: Ashkalara
