Penitent win is payback for the punters
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.
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Hide AdMurtagh 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.