Monksland to bypass Punchestown Festival

Monksland is unlikely to run again this season with trainer Noel Meade inclined to bypass an appearance at the Punchestown Festival.

The six-year-old won the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas and connections decided then to save him for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Unfortunately in the week leading up to the big meeting, Monksland met with a setback and Meade made the tough decision to rule him out of Cheltenham and it is now likely he is finished for the season.