Velocity Boy galloped his rivals into the ground as he ran out an easy winner of the Book Online At www.limerickraces.ie Handicap Hurdle.

Sent straight to the front by Barry Cash, the Willie Murphy trained seven-year-old quickly established a clear lead.

He maintained his health advantage throughout and came home an easy eleven length winner. Noble Emperor was sent off the 7/4 favourite and he never looked like reeling in the winner, eventually finishing second under Barry Geraghty for Tony Martin. Cliff House who won this race twelve months ago, finished a further fifteen lengths back in third.

Willie Murphy said afterwards: "I thought he'd handle the ground as he likes it loose rather than sticky.

"He jumped well and gallops all day and has now run three times here and won each time. He likes it here but will run next at Punchestown.

"He'll be entered for a two miles handicap hurdle, a 2m 4f handicap and will also get an entry in the Champion Hurdle, just for prize money if the race cuts up.

"Whether he'd be good enough for that race (the Champion), I'm not sure but I'd be happy with the day out!"

The winner is owned by Ardattin Grange Syndicate and he was fitted with a tongue strap for the first time today.

The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of all horses bar the winner. The full reports can be read on adjoining story.

Barry Geraghty and Tony Martin were the only two found to be in breach of Rule 212 - failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures to win or obtain a best possible place.

Geraghty was suspended for thirty days while Martin was fined E3,000.

Noble Emperor was also suspended from racing for sixty days.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes