Jonjo O'Neill - Friday double.

drombeag foils whyso mayo

Trainer Jonjo O'Neill and owner JP McManus claimed a Cheltenham double on Friday as Drombeag gave a gutsy display to foil last year's winner Whyso Mayo in the Christie's Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup.

The latter, the 2-1 favourite, had survived a bad blunder at the first fence and looked like landing the spoils when he burst into the lead on the turn for home with two to jump.

However, Drombeag (20-1), who had cut out most of the running, found extra reserves on the tiring run up the hill to the line to win by half a length in the hands of JT McNamara. Ned Kelly was 15 lengths back in third.

McNamara said: "I thought Whyso Mayo was going to go past me because he looked to be tanking, but this fellow is tough.

"He's some horse because I was at him a long way out."

O'Neill added: "I thought the favourite was going to go back past us on the run-in, but they old boy stuck his neck out.

"He's earned himself a big feed tonight!

"That's my third winner of the week so I'm delighted, you enjoy every one here."