HEARTBREAK City gave apprentice Adam McNamara the biggest success of his young career with a resounding triumph in the Betfred Ebor at York. The 5lb claimer oozed confidence on the Tony Martin-trained Irish raider before letting him loose inside the final two furlongs.

Storming past Seamour, Heartbreak City (15-2) was soon in command and went on score by four lengths.

Shrewd (12-1) stayed on well for second place with Martin's other runner Quick Jack (10-1) a head away in third. Battersea (16-1) was fourth.

Martin said: "The young man on him was sheer brilliance. Two down, Lester Piggott wouldn't have been as good. It was a brilliant performance by the lad.

"I spoke to Richard Fahey (McNamara's boss) and he was so good. We have to give a lot of credit to Richard Fahey. Poor Quick Jack was slow coming out of the stalls, so credit to Oisin (Orr). He gave him a lovely ride."

McNamara said: "When I turned in I was tracking Seamour and when I got to the two-furlong pole I knew I was going to win. He travelled there brilliantly, I was scared to look around - I was looking up at the big screen but they weren't showing the race so I panicked a little bit then. When I crossed the line it was such a relief.

"If I could tell you one race I wanted to win, this is it. After coming here with my family for the last three years. I was with Johnny Murtagh when Mutual Regard won it - it means so much to me, I can't explain it."

Assessing future plans for his pair, Martin said: "Both ran in the Cesarewitch last year, so that's an option, and they'll both mix hurdling, races like the Greatwood. You don't expect to win races like this, so when it comes off it's great for the owners."

Shrewd's trainer Iain Jardine said: "He's stayed on well from a long way back. Clifford (Lee) was under instructions to watch all his old races and when he won here earlier in the season that is what he did so I can't blame him.

"We've nicked second and picked up lots of prize-money, the owners had a good bit on each-way, too. We were unlucky with Nakeeta earlier in the week and have also been second in the Chester Cup - we're getting closer to landing a big one.

"This lad is in the Cesarewitch, as is Nakeeta. It's great to be involved in these big races, but disappointing when you are second in them."

AUSTRALIAN MISSION

Australia beckons for Scottish after he ran out a clear-cut winner of the Group 3 Betfred Mobile Strensall Stakes at York.

Bought by Godolphin out of Andrew Balding's yard earlier in the year and sent to Charlie Appleby with a trip Down Under in mind, those plans were put momentarily on hold when he was a beaten favourite in the Rose of Lancaster at Haydock.

William Buick was positive from the off this time, and when Danny Tudhope chose to keep Custom Cut to the far rail, Scottish (5-1) was pointed down the favoured centre of the track and never gave up the advantage.

His nearest rival at the finish was William Haggas' Yorker, a South African import not seen for over 800 days and who really caught the eye staying on for second to be beaten a length and a quarter. Custom Cut was third. The favourite, Sir Michael Stoute's Diploma, owned by the Queen, was very disappointing.

"He came out of his Haydock run well and the form had been franked by the winner in France," said Appleby.

"We told William to be positive because with the strong tail-wind he'd be hard to peg back. He won't get into the Cox Plate this year so we'll look at the Caulfield Cup.

"He's only been beaten twice over a mile and a half when he's got his ground and one of those was by Highland Reel. We bought him with Australia in mind and he's a nice horse to have about the place."

EXCITING TWO-YEAR-OLD

Blue Point looks set to head for the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket after making amends for a narrow defeat at Glorious Goodwood in running out a stylish winner of the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes at York.

Pipped by Mehmas in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes, the Charlie Appleby-trained juvenile pulverised the opposition in the Group 2 contest and has now won three of his four starts.

Grey Britain and Medici Banchiere showed plenty of speed, but the Godolphin-owned Blue Point was always travelling beautifully for William Buick and once he hit the front the race was over. The 11-8 favourite came home three lengths clear from Mokarris. The Last Lion was a length and three-quarters away in third.

But while Newmarket for the six-furlong Group 1 contest on September 24 looms, an appearance at Headquarters for the Qipco 2000 Guineas next season is far from certain.

Appleby said: "That was most impressive and I think the logical thing to do is to go straight to the Middle Park, but we'll get him back home and have a chat. At this stage he looks all speed. It would be great if he stayed a mile, but at this stage it looks like he's going to be a sprinter."

He added: "Unfortunately he learned very little in his first two runs. Willie Ryan rides him at home and has done a great job. He's always been very impressed by him and when he likes one they are usually pretty good."

Godolphin racing manager John Ferguson added: "He ran very well at Goodwood, he was beaten by a horse with a huge amount of experience. What you want to see with these two-year-olds is real progression and that's what we saw today.

"William was able to settle him and when he asked the question he showed what he is capable of. It was an impressive performance and all credit to the team for producing him like that today. He's very adaptable. I think it's early days. During the course of the next few months we can work out where we go. Sheikh Mohammed enjoys making those decisions and you need good horses to make those decisions."

Buick was completing a hat-trick, having taken the two previous races with Scottish and Wall Of Fire.

He said: "That was a very good performance, he got a lead for a little bit but his cruising speed is so high it's hard to get a lead for as long as you want.

"He's one of the best two-year-olds I've ridden. He's doing everything right at the moment, he's not put a foot wrong. I can't see why an extra furlong wouldn't suit, but he has so much pace. Either way, he's very exciting."

Trainer Simon Crisford was delighted with the performance of runner-up Mokarris.

"I'm very happy. These races are so hard to win. It's just great to have horses good enough to compete at this level. I thought Mokarris was absolutely superb. He travelled so well throughout the race. He picked up very nicely, but just found one too good on the day.

"I think he's a really smart colt and hopefully he'll get fast ground for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot next year. Paul (Hanagan) felt it was just a little too loose on top for him and it took a while to get organised.

"He's in the Middle Park and if the ground is suitable he could run there but he must have fast ground. He's very talented with a high cruising speed and gears."