MENTIONED elsewhere in this column, Chosen Mate ran disappointingly in the Grade 1 Grand National Hurdle at Far Hills, New Jersey last Saturday but point-to-pointing in the northern region still received a boost as the winner, The Mean Queen, claimed her maiden, on her debut, at Loughanmore, this time last year.

Now trained by Keri Brion for whom she previously won Grade 1 hurdles at Saratoga and Belmont Park, The Mean Queen won her point-to-point when in the care of Ellen Doyle who has two newcomers entered in today’s Jacksons Butcher Shop & Bakery four-year-old mares’ maiden at Loughanmore, Criquette (by Crillon) and Dollar Bae (by Sageburg).