Last year's winner of the Grade 1 American Grand National Hurdle Stakes, Zanahiyr, didn't repeat in the $300,000 race Oct. 17 at Far Hills, but trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Jack Kennedy did.

This time they took home first-place honors with Zanahiyr's stablemate Western Fold, who wore down longtime leader Fil Dor to prevail in a photo finish in the 2 5/8-mile hurdle race. Western Fold paid $4.00 as the favorite. Zanahiyr finished third.

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Though Kennedy rode Zanahiyr last year, he stayed aboard Western Fold for Saturday's race.

Very few horses made up much ground over the soft turf at Far Hills, but Western Fold managed to do it after a long stretch drive, passing longtime leader and brave runner-up Fil Dor nearing the wire to get the win.

"Very tight at the end," co-owner David L'Estrange said, "We just couldn't believe it."

Western Fold, a 7-year-old gelding, won for the second time in six starts this year. Kennedy also rode him to victory in a race at Punchestown in Ireland in the spring.

Elliott, who bases his stable in Ireland, has won many of steeplechasing's most prestigious events, including the Aintree Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup.