Peak Raider

Peak Raider was an impressive winner of a two-mile-two-furlong handicap chase at Gowran Park on Saturday. Tommy Carberry’s gelding jumped really well out the back for Davy Condon, always travelling well. He made good progress up to the leaders before the third last, and he picked up really well under minimal encouragement, landed in front at the second-last after Gaelic Grounds blundered at that fence, and cantered clear of his rivals to win by an easy five lengths, which could easily have been a lot more.

This was a really nice performance from Peak Raider, who looks to be a fast-improving sort. He was a bit disappointing in his four starts over fences last season, but he seems to have really taken to them so far this season. He started the season really well with two good placed efforts at Sligo and Galway, and he was travelling well before he unseated Paul Carberry at the fourth last in a handicap chase Down Royal on his previous run. But he jumped well here and he travelled like a horse who was competing at a level that was below his true grade. The handicapper has raised him 11lb for this, but even his new mark of 115 may under-estimate his ability. He appears to be at his best of soft ground, although he did run well to finish third in a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day last year on better ground. He is still only six rising seven, and the penny may be starting to drop with him now over fences. He shouldn't be out of place in a better race, in which a faster pace off which he could travel should suit well.

20th November 2010

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