Ishebayorgrey just holds off Markhan

Ishebayorgrey just held off the challenge of Markhan to land the Croom House Stud Rated Race under Wayne Lordan for trainer Pat Martin.

An ultra-consistent performer last summer, the winning Clodovil gelding showed his well-being by finishing a staying on second at Fairyhouse earlier this month.

Available at 16/1 last night, the Raymond Moore owned four-year-old, opened on-course at just 5's, before going off a 9/2 chance.

Settled behind the leaders in fifth, he was pushed along to challenge on the outer with under two furlongs to race.

He got to the front just inside the furlong pole, and he was ridden out from there to hold off the effort of Markhan by a head.

The runner-up was returned a 3/1 joint-favourite (from 8's last night and 4's on-course) under Connor King for David Marnane. An Saighdiur (11/2) was three and a quarter lengths back in third under Declan McDonogh for Andy Slattery, while the other joint-favourite, Footbridge was a disappointing sixth under Leigh Roche for Dermot Weld.

Pat Martin said afterwards: "He has kept us going and that's his sixth win and his second this year.

"He has been unlucky on a few occasions but battled really well today.

"Raymond (owner Raymond Moore) has been lucky for us but couldn't be here today as his wife Maria was coming back from Spain and he was picking her up from the airport."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes