MALTON trainer Richard Fahey's determination to land the John Smith's Cup paid off as Charlie Tokyo led home a one-two for the popular trainer at York Racecourse.

Fahey saddled five of the 17 runners in the £150,000 contest which, for the first time in its 48 year history, was run over nine rather than ten furlongs because of the wet weather on Knavesmire.

The race got off to the worst possible start for Fahey when Avoriaz refused to race after exiting the stalls.

But his remaining team still dominated with Flying Clarets making a strong challenge from the front under Boroughbridge jockey Kevin Darley.

Fortunate Isle was also prominent early on but Charlie Tokyo, entering the final few furlongs, was cruising under Jamie Moriarty and hit the front with a furlong to go.

Flying Clarets disputed but failed by half-a-length, with Collateral Damage, trained by Great Habton's Tim Easterby, getting third.

The day got even better for the Musley Bank handler when 11-4 favourite Dark Tara took the John Smith's Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

On his John Smith's Cup triumph, Fahey said: "It was a great race for me to watch. He (Charlie Tokyo) has always been a good work-horse.

"I never at any stage thought he was going to down tools. Moriarty gets on well with the horse and I was quite keen for Jamie to ride him because he believes in him. It's a great result for us and I'm delighted with that.

"Everyone in the yard had their opinion about the five horses and fancied different ones, and to see two of them fighting it out is a great thrill.

"It's wonderful for the owner, Stanley Tse, who is in Hong Kong, wonderful for all the staff - and wonderful for me!"

Moriarty added: "That was fantastic - just the sort of winner I needed at this stage in my career.

"He's got an unbelievable amount of ability, but he does have his quirks. He showed so much pace and travelled so well that it was just a matter of sitting and waiting."

Easterby, meanwhile, was all smiles after a gutsy performance saw Countdown win the John Smith's Extra Smooth Stakes.

The four-year-old 6-1 shot dug in deep, under David Allan, to get up ahead of Imperial Echo.

"I've been running him in sprint races, I don't know why and he loves this ground," Easterby said. "He really dug deep there."