Mouse Morris is considering the possibility of running his Cheltenham winner First Lieutenant at the Punchestown Festival.

The lightly-raced six-year-old, who had not run since December, got up in the final stride under a powerful Davy Russell ride to deny Rock On Ruby in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle on Wednesday.

Morris, who had previously made no secret of the fact how highly he regarded the Gigginstown Stud-owned gelding, is already looking forward to sending him over fences next season.

"There's not a bother on him," said Morris.

"It was a seriously good performance and I couldn't be happier with him.

"I don't want to set anything in stone, but there's still a possibility he could go to Punchestown this season.

"He'll be some horse over fences next season."