SKIP MAYO fulfilled an ambition of trainer Gemma Davidson’s when landing a deserved but surprise 20-1 victory in Saturday’s Ladbrokes.com Guys & Dolls Final at Crayford.

The former Crayford handler, now based at Central Park, remains a regular visitor to the Ladbrokes track and was delighted to claim the £7,500 first prize with the February 2017 daughter of Makeshift and Boynepark Brae.

“We tried for many years when we were here, but I’ll settle for this now!” said Davidson, whose late father John won the Guys & Dolls with Letmekissya in 2006. John’s wife Sylvia was very much part of the celebrations on Saturday.

“It’s just fantastic to have won it again. I remember almost sleeping in the kennel with Letmekissya before she won. Dad wasn’t very well then, and I was pretty much doing the dogs – and I’ve been in the kennel with Mayo these last few days!”

Davidson explained that an entry for Skip Mayo was very much an afterthought given Droopys Bubbly was the kennel’s main Guys & Dolls hope. “She unfortunately went out in the first round, but thankfully Mayo more than made up for it,” added the trainer.

Owned by Dave Staddon and Trevor Cooper, Skip Mayo was purchased by Davidson at the Crayford sales and has run in graded company at both Crayford and Central Park with her trainer – her first victory coming over 540m at Crayford.

Lining up the outsider of the field, Skip Mayo was always handy after a decent exit and led off the second bend as her rivals jostled for position inside after the Patrick Janssens-trained Seaglass Shadow had broken smartly and led into the first bend.

It was another Janssens runner Magical Houdini who then emerged as chief threat to Skip Mayo as the Silver Salver winner launched a strong back-straight challenge, as did local star Gislebertus (Belinda Green) before the latter was halted in his tracks at the third bend.

“She’s strong over 380m,” Davidson added of Skip Mayo. “She only just gets 540m really, so this is perfect and I was always hopeful she’d hold Magical Houdini, but Patrick’s dog is  top class so it was never going to be easy. Thankfully us ‘Dolls’ held on!

“It was a great night all-round and well done to Crayford,” added Davidson. “I was really impressed with the track itself – the running surface has been fantastic throughout the competition and you can see the work that’s gone into it has really paid off.”

Peter Broadbridge, stadium manager at Crayford, said: “It was a terrific final and has been a terrific competition this year. The draw was certainly key – perhaps Magical Houdini was the unlucky dog in the race – but fair play to Skip Mayo, her owners and Gemma.

“Overall it was another great night here at Crayford and long may that continue.”