Meade Weighing Up Options For Monksland Noel Meade was left with mixed emotions after Monksland was collared in the shadow of the post by Arctic Fire in the Lismullen Hurdle on Sunday. A very smart novice, his career has been littered by a series of hold-ups but he proved once again at Navan that his ability remains. Having made most of the running, he appeared to have the Champion Hurdle runner-up beaten approaching the final flight but a slow jump gave Ruby Walsh one final chance to galvanise his mount and the champion jockey did not need another invitation. Meade now needs to decide whether to send Monksland novice chasing or stay over hurdles with him. "I'm happy with him, but also a bit disappointed not to win. If he'd jumped the last well he might have won," said Meade. "I'm not sure what we will do with him now. "He's schooled over fences and jumps very well but we could stay over hurdles and aim at the three-mile races. "We'll have to have a good think about it."
