Penitent win is payback for the punters

PUNTERS gained their revenge at Doncaster yesterday after 3-1 favourite Penitent pulled off a William Hill Lincoln gamble. A highly favourable Cheltenham Festival meant there was no need to feel exactly sorry for the bookmakers, but the opening skirmish of the Flat season provided the ideal opportunity to turn the tables.

The lightly-raced Penitent, long targeted for the event by trainer William Haggas, was the obvious horse capable of being better than a mere handicapper and he shortened considerably in the betting when handed stall one in Thursday's draw.

Johnny Murtagh is usually a notable booking for Haggas – successful in the Lincoln twice before – and the acclaimed Irishman always had Penitent in the perfect position. Bottom-weight Prime Exhibit had first run, but Penitent picked him up without much trouble and pulled away an impressive two-and-a-half-length winner, with Prime Exhibit second and Mull Of Killough third.

Murtagh said: "William said he was very straightforward and enjoys ease in the ground. The race worked out brilliantly, I got a lovely lead to a furlong and a half out and he galloped all the way to the line. He was well prepared for this."

Penitent is owned by Cheveley Park Stud, whose managing director Chris Richardson revealed: "We had offers for him over the winter but Mr and Mrs Thompson (the stud's owners] stuck to their guns and said he wasn't for sale." William Hill spokesman David Hood said: "In complete contrast to Cheltenham, this has been an amazing day for punters, who have pummelled us on the opening day of the Flat.