Tony Martin with Heartbreak City at York© Photo Healy Racing
Tony Martin expects Heartbreak City to improve from his Leopardstown defeat on Sunday.
The Melbourne Cup runner-up was having his first taste of competitive action since his Australian heroics and had to settle for eighth place in the Coral.ie Handicap Hurdle as the 9-4 favourite.
He was not beaten too far, though, and Martin said: "He ran a blinder and hopefully he can come on a bit from the run. He had a long journey back from Australia and it was a grand first run back. He can do nothing only improve off it.
"He arrived down to the last with a sporting chance, but didn't get home. We'll have a chat with the owners now. He ran a very respectable race and jumped well, so there is no bother that way.
"There is the World Cup meeting in Dubai, all going well, and then we have options over hurdles as well."
Martin saddled Tudor City and Golden Spear to take minor honours behind Ice Cold Soul, and added: "The others ran blinders - they all ran good races. Gladiator King ran well enough too, unfortunately he missed the third-last. You'd be happy with them all."
