Horse Racing: Penitent can lead way in Lincoln as flat season begins

SOMETIMES punters try to complicate matters, but there seems little reason to be against Penitent in the William Hill Lincoln as the 2010 Flat season on turf gets under way at Doncaster.

The William Haggas-trained son of Kyllachy did not see a racecourse until July of last year but looked a winner waiting to happen when narrowly beaten into second over six furlongs at this venue.

He soon headed to Newmarket for a seven-furlong maiden and duly dotted up, beating a number of subsequent winners with a degree of ease.

It was initially disappointing when he was beaten by Khor Dubai at Kempton next time but the winner has since gone on to score in conditions company, so it might not have been a bad performance after all.

Penitent then went on to dead-heat at Kempton before chasing home Sovereign Remedy at Southwell, a performance which is given more merit when you consider Penitent would have finished a good deal closer had he not experienced traffic problems in the straight.

You get the feeling connections feel he is better than his rating of 98, and with Johnny Murtagh booked to ride – and a favourable draw on the rails – he ticks all the right boxes in a race littered with thoroughly exposed handicappers.

The williamhill.com Magnolia Stakes takes centre stage at Kempton and it could turn out to be a fine day for Haggas, whose South Easter is considered a major player.

The four-year-old was second to the seriously smart Border Patrol on his racecourse introduction at Newbury and built on that promising debut to win the Dee Stakes at Chester.

The form of that race could hardly have worked out better given the runner-up, Gitano Hernando, has gone on to win a Grade One in America and lines up in the Dubai World Cup on Saturday night.

That Chester success made South Easter a live outsider for the Derby but he was forced to miss the Epsom Classic after suffering a setback, after which he disappointed on his only subsequent start at Royal Ascot.

Haggas feels he ran his charge back too quickly that day, and if he can reproduce his previous form the chestnut colt would go very close to winning this.

Furmigadelagiusta can make his first start for Richard Fahey a winning one in the williamhill.com – Play Roulette Doncaster Shield on Sunday.

This strapping six-year-old looked as if he could develop into a real top-notcher early on last season. He had spent his career previously with Karl Burke but, following the trainer's 12-month ban, was switched to Fahey. He ran well in this race last year when fourth behind Barry Hills' Tastahill and this renewal lacks a little strength in depth by comparison.

Furmigadelagiusta even ran in the race two years ago when he was second to Mark Johnston's classy Soapy Danger.

After his run on Town Moor he went for a competitive handicap at York and defied top weight in taking style. Handicaps were ruled out after that and it was at Pontefract that he continued his improvement, winning a decent Listed race with something in hand.

On his return to York, he stepped up to a mile and three-quarters but only beat one home and was not seen again. Something obviously went wrong but he can regain the winning thread.

Philip Hobbs enjoyed a great Cheltenham and his horses have been in good form for a month now. Triggerman came up against a powerful rival at Newbury on his last start, chasing home Alfie Sherrin at Newbury.

Although the winner flopped at the Festival he is undoubtedly a smart prospect. Because the form of that race worked out so well, Triggerman went up 10lb, so the decision to run him in the Junior Jumpers Novices' Hurdle at Wincanton can pay dividends.