Following a highly encouraging racecourse debut when runner-up at Limerick last month, Eric McNamara has indicated that Starting Fifteen will most likely take his chance at the Punchestown Festival in just over two weeks time.

The City Light gelding was pitched in at the deep end on his introduction, asked to tackle a Listed bumper on his first appearance in public under any code. Having kept on steadily to take minor honours despite shows obvious signs of greenness, McNamara is expecting improvement from the four-year-old: "We were delighted with his first run and all roads lead to Punchestown. We are maybe punching above our weight but think he will be competitive and will take our chances. He'll run in the four-year-old maiden bumper.

"I don't think you could have expected much more from him in Limerick really, as it was a very good run and there were three winners behind him. A lot of horses can run green, like he did, first-time up so hopefully there is improvement in him.

"He met what looks to be a very good horse in Limerick but we'd like to think our fellow mightn't be too bad either."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.