Whyso Mayo goes out fighting

The Raymond Hurley-trained 2006 Cheltenham Foxhunter winner Whyso Mayo went down fighting on what was his final career race at yesterday’s Carbery Foxhounds Clonakilty point-to-point meeting on the picturesque Inchydoney Island when beaten two and a half lengths into second spot by Kaitlin’s Fancy in a vintage renewal of the open lightweight.

Whyso Mayo, reunited with his Cheltenham festival winning partner Damian Murphy, eased into a clear advantage from four out, but he was challenged by Kaitlin’s Fancy (3/1) from the third last. Sean Aherne’s grey edged ahead on the run to the last and she drew clear on the flat to dismiss the gallant Whyso Mayo and by doing so, the 11-year-old mare was providing rider Derek O’Connor with the concluding leg of a three-timer.

“We’ll keep tipping away with her and we will probably go to Kinsale next Sunday for the four-miler whilst she could also go to Cartmel for a three mile six furlong handicap chase over the summer,” said trainer Aherne of the Donal Barry-owned Kaitlin’s Fancy.