TODAY the Irish-bred Ebanour will try to book his ticket to the Maryland Hunt Cup by taking on 10 rivals in the $50,000 Grand National timber stakes. The 11-year-old has won six times over timber, including the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup in his final start of 2017, since joining Cyril Murphy’s stable. One state away, Irish-breds Top Man Michael and Two’s Company take on timber horse of the year, Doc

Cebu, in the Middleburg Hunt Cup.

MCDERMOTT WINNER

Last Saturday the Irish-bred Gibralfaro and Sean McDermott picked up the hurdle feature at the Tryon Block House Races.

Making his American debut, the six-year-old son of Dalakhani out-finished Irish-bred Lord Justice to win by a neck. Bred in Ireland by Sarl Darpat France, Gibralfaro won his third race over hurdles, seventh race of his career and first for Riverdee Stable and trainer Jack Fisher.

Also on Saturday Irish-breds Vintage Vinnie and Pied Du Roi registered runner-up finishes over timber at My Lady’s Manor.