After a Naas fall on his last outing, on January 8th, Velocity Boy got back on track with a success under Barry Cash in the Michael Fitzpatrick Memorial Beginners Chase at Punchestown.

Returning to forcing tactics, Willie Murphy's charge took a few lengths out of the favourite, Robin Thyme at the second last.

The two and three quarter miler was soon his for the taking, and despite not being overly convincing at the last, he still had twelve lengths in hand over Robin Thyme at the line.

"It took a while to get there but at least we got there," commented Murphy.

"He was unlucky the last day over two miles and I thought maybe going up in trip might help him as he'd won a point-to-point.

"Making the running probably suits but I'd love to be able to drop him out and go longer, just to see because I think he could be very good if we could do that.

"He's always been a little bit head-strong.

"He's getting his act together and he has his own way of getting from a to b.

"He's improving. There's a novice handicap at Naas in about three weeks time that he could go for now.

"We'll probably give him a crack at something bigger too, and the Irish National is also in the back of our heads."

J.W. Kennedy, rider of Be The Hero trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount jumped very badly from the off and was pulled up thereafter.

(AM & EM)