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Noel Meade is hoping Monksland will stay fit for a crack at the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The eight-year-old has been limited to just nine career starts, winning three times at Grade Two level in 2012 before being sidelined for two years.

He returned to action with a third-placed finish at Leopardstown over Christmas and followed up with a narrow defeat at Gowran last Thursday, giving Meade plenty of hope for a Cheltenham run.

Meade said: "He was good after it. It was disappointing he didn't win but he didn't run too bad and he certainly came on from Leopardstown.

"We've had to train him very tenderly and take it slowly but he's run two solid races now.

"If he stays right we'll have a crack at it (World Hurdle). He hated that ground as well and I'd imagine he'll be better on better ground. Paul (Carberry) always felt he would be."

Monksland can be backed at 20-1 for the Festival event but is as low as 12-1 in a place.