Monksland makes late ground to stamp his class in feature for Meade

Noel Meade’s fantastic start to the core jumps season continued when Monksland stayed on strongly to narrowly deny the front-running Polar Present in the feature 2m7f hurdle.

Owned by one of the trainer’s biggest supporters, Patricia Hunt, Monksland has always been held in high regard but hasn’t been the easiest to train.

He seems to run his best races fresh these days, and after warming up for this contest with a good run in the John Shortt Legends Race last week at Punchestown, the ten-year-old notched his eighth career success by staying on well for pressure under Sean Flanagan.