Monksland sets out on fencing career Noel Meade is looking forward to seeing Monksland kick off his career over fences at Gowran Park on Saturday. The three-time Grade Two winner spent exactly two years on the sidelines with injury after winning the 2012 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown, but ran a couple of fine races in defeat after his return before failing to make an impact in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham. He made an encouraging reappearance when touched off by Arctic Fire in Navan's Lismullen Hurdle a fortnight ago, and Meade feels now is the right time to send his charge over the larger obstacles. "We ummed and ahhed whether we would or we wouldn't (go over fences) and in the end we just felt some of the younger horses might have too much pace for him in the better races over hurdles, so we decided to give it a go," said the County Meath maestro. "He ran in a point-to-point, so he has some experience jumping and he seems in good form." Monksland is one of two runners for the stable in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase, with the JP McManus-owned Fair Return another interesting contender. Despite having no experience in bumpers or over hurdles, the point-to-point winner was sent straight over fences at Punchestown last month and was far from disgraced in finishing fourth behind the high-class No More Heroes. "He ran very well in Punchestown, but I'd be a bit worried about the ground for him," said Meade. "I'm not sure he'd want very heavy ground." Champion trainer Willie Mullins relies on Roi Des Francs, who finished third when favourite for the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. Gordon Elliott's Noble Endeavor and Liam Burke's dual point-to-point winner Mezendore also feature in a 14-runner field.
