Murtagh lands Lincoln gamble on Penitent Punters landed an almighty touch in the William Hill Lincoln as Penitent won the big Doncaster handicap in the style of a good horse. William Haggas' four-year-old looked a likely type on paper and was heavily backed ante-post to win the first major Flat race of the new season. Drawn in stall one, Johnny Murtagh always looked confident but Richard Fahey's bottom weight Prime Exhibit made a bold bid for home two furlongs out. But Murtagh did not have to get too serious on the Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding and the 3-1 favourite pulled two and a half lengths clear. Mull Of Killough ran on for third with former winner Smokey Oakey fourth. 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. "He's improving, he's a tough little horse and I think there's another big one in him. "Hopefully this is going to be a big year for me." Maureen Haggas, wife of the trainer, said: "William said after he finished last year that he was a Lincoln horse and so we planned accordingly. "It's been a tough old winter and he's been living on the treadmill to get him ready. "Up to a mile with a bit of cut is ideal, he just does enough so you wouldn't really know how good he is."
