Third in Comeback, Snap Decision Set for Grand National

After running third in the Oct. 6 Mariann De Tejeda Memorial Stakes (NSA-G3) at Foxfield when spotting weight and returning from a five-month layoff, Bruton Street-US' Snap Decision  attempts to rebound in the Oct. 19 American Grand National Stakes (NSA-G1) at Far Hills.

The race, over hurdles at 2 5/8 miles, carries a $250,000 purse and is the most prestigious race on the domestic jump racing calendar. Saturday marks its 103rd running.

Conditions appear favorable for Snap Decision, who had won three in a row before his defeat at Foxfield. All starters carry 156 pounds., and the course at Far Hills in New Jersey should be firm after days of dry weather.

One of the richest jumpers in American steeplechase history, Snap Decision is typically at his best over firm or good ground. Yielding conditions hampered him in the last two runnings of the Grand National, and he was well beaten, but he was second to The Mean Queen  over firm turf in 2021.

Graham Watters rides Snap Decision, a 10-year-old Hard Spun   gelding, for trainer Jack Fisher. Fisher also runs C and C Boultbee Brooks' Sebastopol , the Mariann De Tejeda Memorial winner.

Other contenders include L'Imperator , Noah And The Ark , Merry Maker , Jimmy P , and European shipper Galvin .

Noah And The Ark won the 2023 Grand National, defeating Merry Maker, who has been unraced since.