1664 Biere Open NH Flat Race (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:37 | Winning time: 3m 56.44s

Crystal Force²⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: T H Weston

10/1

Beaten a fair way when fourth of 6 in a Wetherby bumper (2m, good) on debut in March, but he should be all the better for the experience.

Form: 4-

Eastern Fire

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Liam Harrison| T: D Skelton

5/1

Poet's Word gelding. Half-brother to 3 winners, including bumper winner Darling Daughter and fair hurdler Present Fair. Very much of interest for powerful yard and confidence behind him in the betting would look significant.

Form:

Laraktar

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: R T Dunne| T: O Murphy

11/4

€88,000 half-brother to fair chaser Feuille de Lune. Dam unraced out of fairly useful hurdler/smart chaser in France (stayed 29f) Harmonie Tresor. Interesting newcomer for yard that does very well in bumpers.

Form:

Rathkenny²¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland

4/6

Just touched off by one who has since won twice under Rules on debut in a maiden point last October. Duly went one better during the spring and he has the look of a strong candidate.

Form: 21-

Non-Runners

Maximum Benefit¹⁴³

Weight: 11-2| Age: 4

T: Miss J S Davis J: Lily Pinchin

Forecasts

Rathkenny (4/6), Laraktar (11/4), Eastern Fire (5/1), Crystal Force (10/1), Maximum Benefit (12/1)

There's substance to RATHKENNY'S form between the flags and he is taken to make a winning start under Rules, though confidence behind either of the newcomers, Eastern Fire and Laraktar, would be noteworthy given the stables they represent.