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Meade ponders Monk plan

Monksland winning at LeopardstownMonksland winning at Leopardstown
© Photo Healy Racing

Trainer Noel Meade has not yet decided whether to give Leopardstown scorer Monksland another run before a crack at the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

Second behind Zaidpour in the two-and-a-half-mile Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on his penultimate start, Monksland reversed placings with that rival on his first attempt at three miles in the Christmas Hurdle.

"He has come out of his race really well, there's not a bother on him," said the County Meath handler.

"I don't know if he'll run again before (Cheltenham) or not but the plan with him is to go back to Cheltenham for the World Hurdle.

"He could have a run somewhere - there are races at Gowran and Navan for him - but I'm not sure.

"We could just go straight to Cheltenham with him.

"We'll see how he is over the next week or two and then make a decision.

"If he does have a run again before Cheltenham, he'll only run the once.

"We're delighted with how he did it the other day and, in fairness to the horse, he always runs a good race."