City justifies favouritism under Orr for Martin

Tudor City sent favourite backers home happy at Fairyhouse, as he took the last on the programme, the Christmas Parties At Fairyhouse December 16th Handicap.

Available at 5/1 in early shows, the Tony Martin trained five-year-old opened on-course at 3/1 before going off the 11/4 market leader in the colours of owner John Breslin.

Settled in mid-division by Oisin Orr, the son of Yeats took closer order on the approach to the straight, and he was ridden to challenge from the two furlong pole.

He got to the front a furlong from home, and kept on well from there to see off World War (7/1) and Colin Keane by a length and a quarter.

The hat-trick seeking Panstarr (5/1) completed the placings another two and a half lengths back in third with Kevin Manning in the saddle for Jim Bolger.

"You couldn't be happier. He did it well and everything worked out well as John is home to see him," said Martin.

"He deserved that as he ran a nice race in Galway and things didn't worked out. Fortunately it paid off today."

STEWARDS REPORTS

G.P. Halpin, rider of Secret Existence trained by John James Feane, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled.

S.B. Kelly, rider of My Brother trained by Lee Smyth, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung badly to the right throughout.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson