The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word TROPHY
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
T
R
O
P
H
Y
More clues leading to the result TROPHY
- Work hard in attempt to make pot
- Work hard in attempt to win this?
- Ancient city grasping a way of buying up prize
- Work hard in attempt to secure prize
- Work hard in attempt for cup
- Perhaps Helen primarily in war-torn city?
- Old war horse’s place to claim local prize
- Astrophysicist taking pot
- Cup replay’s final touch by Hearts left back
- Work with hospital in attempt to get prize
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Perhaps Helen/ primarily in war-torn city?" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case perhaps helen/ primarily in war-torn city? = trophy.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does TROPHY mean?
TROPHY noun- Tropæum.
- An object, usually in the form of a statuette, cup, or shield, awarded for success in a competition or to mark a special achievement.
- An object taken as a prize by a hunter or conqueror, especially one that is displayed.
- Any emblem of success; a status symbol.
- (by extension) An object taken by a serial killer or rapist as a memento of the crime.
- A display of weaponry and other militaria, often captured from a defeated enemy, as an ornament designed for the purpose of triumphalist display by a victor or as a show of military prowess by a monarch.