15:30 Punchestown

Sunday 5 February 2017

All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:30

Michael Fitzpatrick Memorial Beginners Chase

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 5m 56.4s

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Selected odds by:

Be The Hero^p⁹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J W Kennedy| T: G Elliott

4/1

Progressive over hurdles last season, fell on chase debut at Down Royal in November in a race won by smart stablemate A Toi Phil, worth forgiving that mishap.

Form: 0241-1F

Brightest Flame^b¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: S W Flanagan| T: N Meade

10/1

Lightly raced gelding, easy winner at Tramore last month before being pulled up a fortnight ago on handicap hurdle debut. Goes chasing now and interesting contender.

Form: 254

Flatfoot Boogie⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: G B Noonan⁽⁷⁾| T: N F Glynn

66/1

Pulled up a week ago at Doncaster over hurdles on first run for 558 days, makes fencing debut now.

Form: 28365/F-

Lisclogher Lad¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: S J Gray⁽³⁾| T: S G Walsh| OR: 112

25/1

Ran a very good race on handicap debut at Limerick over Christmas, unseated his rider at the first at Thurles since. Should have more to offer if avoiding mishaps.

Form: 8620-84

Old Time Melody¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: M P Fogarty| T: T Cooper

100/1

Hasn't shown much in two starts over fences and some questions still hover over his jumping.

Form: 9FPU04-

Oscar Lantern¹¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: B T O'Connell| T: C Byrnes

20/1

Very disappointing when sent off favourite on chase debut at Limerick 119 days ago, surely has the ability to do significantly better in time.

Form: 270686

Robin Thyme^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott

5/4

Should build on promising chase debut over 2m4f at this venue three weeks ago, fourth of 12 then and likely to get closer now.

Form: 8421P-4

Velocity Boy²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: B M Cash| T: William P Murphy| OR: 134

9/4

Notable Down Royal second over 2m4f at Christmas puts him in the mix, fell on handicap debut at Naas subsequently though drop to two-miles possibly not in his favour. Big player now upped in trip.

Form: 72F13U-

Dont Kick Nor Bite¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: M P Walsh| T: R Tyner

16/1

Mare ran a fair race on chase debut at Navan recently, entitled to do somewhat better in time.

Form: 224574

Forecasts

Robin Thyme (5/4), Velocity Boy (9/4), Be The Hero (4/1), Brightest Flame (10/1), Dont Kick Nor Bite (16/1), Oscar Lantern (20/1), Lisclogher Lad (25/1), Flatfoot Boogie (66/1), Old Time Melody (100/1)

Be The Hero is forgiven a fall on his chasing debut and is one to look out for now having been progressive over hurdles last season. He is respected but VELOCITY BOY might have the winning of this. He caught the eye when second at Down Royal in December and the drop to two-miles for a handicap last time might not necessarily have suited, though he was in contention when falling. This longer trip should benefit his case and he can get off the mark. Lisclogher Lad is also respected on his Limerick effort at Christmas time while Oscar Lantern and Robin Thyme looks sure to be better over fences in time. Brightest Flame jumps a fence for the first time but it would be no surprise should he go well. 1. Velocity Boy 2. Be The Hero 3. Lisclogher Lad