The Mean Queen holds off Snap Decision in Grand National Hurdle

The Mean Queen repelled a sustained challenge from top rival Snap Decision to win Saturday’s Grade 1 Grand National Hurdle at Far Hills in New Jersey, a third consecutive win at the highest level for the 5-year-old mare.

The victory in the $142,500 Grand National should be enough to clinch The Mean Queen’s status as the 2021 Eclipse Award winner as outstanding steeplechaser.

Ridden by Richard Condon, The Mean Queen ($3.80) ran 2 5/8 miles in 4:57.20, finishing a half-length in front of 6-5 Snap Decision, who was ridden by Graham Watters.

Snap Decision finished 20 lengths clear of 13-1 Amschel, who was 45 lengths in front of 4-1 The Chosen Mate in the small field.

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Amschel set the pace before The Mean Queen moved alongside three obstacles from the finish. The Mean Queen took the lead after the second-to-last hurdle. Snap Decision posed a threat through the final three furlongs, getting within a length of The Mean Queen at the final hurdle. Little separated the two in the run to the finish.

The Mean Queen, a 5-year-old Irish-bred mare by the Sadler’s Wells stallion Doyen, has won 6 of 8 starts and has earned $315,660.

Trained by Keri Brion for Buttonwood Farm, The Mean Queen won a maiden race over hurdles at Wexford Racecourse in Ireland in April before she was sent to the United States. The Mean Queen is unbeaten in the five races she has finished in this country, including the Grade 1 Jonathan Sheppard Hurdle at Saratoga on Aug. 18 and the Grade 1 Lonesome Glory Hurdle at Belmont Park on Sept. 16.

The Mean Queen unseated jockey Thomas Garner in the stretch of the Kiser Hurdle for novices at Saratoga on July 28 when appearing on her way to win.

This was the second consecutive meeting between Snap Decision and The Mean Queen.

Snap Decision was second by two lengths in the Lonesome Glory, ending a nine-race winning streak. Snap Decision won two major races in the spring – the Grade 2 Temple Gwathmey in Virginia in May and the Grade 1 Iroquois Stakes at Nashville in June.